A Development Model for Pulau Sibandang Tourism Village Based on Batak Culture through the Integration of Ulos Weaving, Homestay, and Community Empowerment

Abstract

Rural tourism in Pulau Sibandang promotes community-based development by leveraging cultural heritage and local livelihoods like ulos weaving and homestays. However, its success depends on strong local capacity and coordination to transform these resources into well-managed, inclusive tourism experiences. This study develops an evidence-based strategy for community-based cultural tourism development in Pulau Sibandang, a lake-island settlement within the Lake Toba tourism system. The study focuses on two locally embedded assets: ulos weaving as living Batak cultural heritage and homestay as a community-based accommodation model. A qualitative-dominant mixed-method design was used, combining field observation, in-depth interviews, questionnaires with 92 purposively selected respondents, documentary review, and focus group discussion. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, SWOT, Internal Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS), External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS), the Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM), and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). IFAS-EFAS places Pulau Sibandang in Quadrant II, with a negative internal coordinate (Strength - Weakness = -1.0165) and a slightly positive external coordinate (Opportunity - Threat = +0.0787). QSPM ranks the Weakness-Opportunity strategy as the highest priority (STAS = 7.0141), indicating that external opportunities should be used first to correct internal capability deficits. The PLS-SEM results further show that only the culture-sustainability construct significantly affects tourism-village development (O = 0.617; p = 0.003), whereas homestay governance, ulos-based tourism products, and local participation are not yet statistically significant operational determinants. The article contributes a capacity-first model for cultural tourism village development, emphasising governance, service standardisation, cultural interpretation, digital promotion, and sustainability safeguards before market expansion.