The Tourism Sector Stakeholder Collaboration Role in Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery of Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Pandemic COVID-19 has severely affected the tourism industry worldwide, including Central Java, Indonesia. Hence, this study aims to determine the potency of stakeholders' collaboration in the post-COVID 19 economic recoveries in Central Java. Preliminary data gathering by sequential focus group discussions (SFGD) to identify institutions and their role and objective, followed by a survey with a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Matrix of Alliance and Conflict: Tactics, Objective and Recommendation (MACTOR) method. The result shows that all stakeholders agreed that collaboration is critical in economic recovery, but their roles vary depending on their duties and responsibilities. Based on the influence and dependence map, all stakeholders are into four groups: The first group has the strong influence, namely the Cooperatives and SMSEs Agency and Tourism Agency. The second group has both strong influence and dependence, consisting of the Tourism Village Association, Planning and Development Agency, Industry and Trade Agency, and Hotel and Restaurant Association. The third group has a low influence and high dependence, consisting of the community and the Food Security Agency. The fourth group had both low influence and dependence is banking. In addition, there is no potential conflict among all stakeholders involved that could affect collaboration in the economic recovery. Lastly, future cooperation between the Cooperative and SMSEs Agency and Hotel and Restaurant Association should be encouraged.