Strategies for Local Community Development to Establish Desa Rumah Gerat as a Tourism Village Desa Rumah Gerat, Kecamatan Biru-Biru, Kabupaten Deli Serdang

Abstract

The development of community-based tourism in Rumah Gerat Village, Sibiru-Biru District, Deli Serdang Regency, has great potential to drive local economic growth and preserve culture. This study aims to formulate effective strategies for empowering the local community to transform Rumah Gerat into a tourism village. Using the SOAR (Strength, Opportunity, Aspiration, Result) approach, the research analyzes the village's internal strengths, external opportunities, community aspirations, and desired outcomes. The findings show that Rumah Gerat possesses rich natural resources and cultural heritage that serve as key attractions. However, challenges such as a lack of tourism management skills and supporting facilities remain. Therefore, strategies focusing on community empowerment, human resource development, better tourism management, and more intensive promotion are expected to accelerate the village's transformation into a sustainable tourism destination. In conclusion, the development of tourism in Rumah Gerat requires careful planning and active community participation to create tourism that is not only economically beneficial but also socially and environmentally sustainable.