Strengthening Agro-Marine Tourism For Foreign Visitors To Increase Regional Economic Growth Of Aceh Province

Abstract

Data from the Central Statistics Agency show that in 2018, 33,787 foreign visitors from various countries visited the province of Aceh, which is identical to agro-marine tourism. This visit will, undoubtedly, increase regional economic growth in the region. The data also reveal that the highest number of visitors came from Malaysia and the United Kingdom. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of tourist visits on regional economic growth in the province of Aceh between 2004 and 2017. This research uses secondary sources of data from the Aceh Provincial Statistics Authority using a simple semi-logarithmic Regression analysis model. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the correlation coefficient (R) is 0.398. The number further indicates that there is a low correlation of the relationship between foreign tourist visits and economic growth in the province of Aceh. Furthermore, the coefficient of determination (R2) is 15.90 percent. The equation model Y = 0.157 + 0.431 × 1 + e, with a t-test value for economic growth of 0.055 and not significant at α = 5%, given the short data and the earthquake / tsunami disaster. The author's recommendation is that various provincial and local government programs are needed in 23 regions / cities of Aceh province to increase the number of foreign tourists coming to the province. The program includes capturing and strengthening the potential of agro-marine tourism, increasing tourism advertising through tourism ambassadors or media, improving the quality of accommodation, public services, enhancing the potentiality of craft production, local food product and international language training for communities and several other programs. Hence, the regional economic growth continues to grow and people's welfare is increasing