Integration of strategic planning and air connectivity in tourism development

Abstract

The problem of the paper focused on the role of the integration of strategic planning for tourism development and air transport connectivity is integral to advancing Indonesia’s tourist destinations with world-class marine park attractions spread across several eastern provinces that have not been visited by tourists optimally. They were relying on opening flight paths connected to the main entrances to Jakarta and Bali airports. This research aims to uncover and analyze the strategic planning of tourism development in Sulawesi Utara Province. A mixed method was used in research that adopted the model of Golkar (2005) with 96 questionnaires to officials of the tourism office, airport authorities, and airlines. An analysis using a four-dimensional SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis (Mercer, 1991). The findings show that the accessibility of air transportation for tourist visits is limited and is not integrated with the flight paths of tourists. Tourism development planning in Sulawesi Utara Province tends to be partial and not consider critical variables. Such as the development of air transport infrastructure to open access to tourist destinations that are difficult to reach by land and sea transportation. Contribution to the theory and managerial implications are discussed, and suggestions for further research are given.