DIPLOMASI PUBLIK MELALUI WISATA HALAL KOTA TANJUNGPINANG UNTUK MENARIK KUNJUNGAN WISATAWAN MANCANEGARA TAHUN 2019

Abstract

study discusses the application of halal tourism located in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Island Province. Riau Islands has a strategic location because it’s close to Singapore and Malaysia, which makes the Riau Islands Province a Cross-Border Tourism destination and has great tourism potential. This research aims to describe the development of halal tourism destinations by the Tanjungpinang City Govermnment in strengthening the branding of halal tourism in Tanjungpinang City to increase foreign tourist visits. To find out these problems, the authors applied in-depth qualitivative research methods by conducting observation methods, interviewing the concepts of tourism politican economy, public diplomacy, as well as mation branding and place branding. This study show an overview of the concept of halal tourism in Tanjungpinang City and how the Tanjungpinang Government in developing this halal tourism concept using standards contained in the IMTI (Indonesia Muslim Travel Index). This study is based on the standards contained in IMTI. The result of this study shows that Tanjungpinang City is ready to implement halal tourism destinations and it also can be proven from the success of Tanjungpinang City in obtaining a charter award as a leading halal tourism destination at the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) award ceremony in 2019. However, even though this award was successfully obtained, the problems such as certification and disagreements this problem must be addresses immediately, by educating business owners about the importance of halal certification. In addition, there is a need for deliberation between stakeholders to equalizing an understanding of halal tourism.