Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Pengabdian masyarakat ini memberikan pelatihan strategi pengembangan homestay sebagai sarana promosi dalam konteks peningkatan pariwisata di Desa Mendale, Kecamatan Kebayakan, Kabupaten Aceh Tengah. Kegiatan ini dilatarbelakangi oleh potensi besar yang dimiliki Desa Mendale dalam sektor pariwisata, seperti keindahan alam, kekayaan budaya Gayo, serta keramahan masyarakatnya yang belum dikelola secara maksimal. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan permasalahan masyarakat dalam pengelolaan homestay serta mengetahui upaya pemberdayaan masyarakat yang dapat dilakukan dalam pengembangan homestay di Desa Mendale. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan pendekatan kualitatif melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi lapangan, serta dokumentasi terhadap pemilik homestay, pemerintah desa, dan masyarakat setempat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa permasalahan dalam pengelolaan homestay mencakup aspek internal dan eksternal. Permasalahan internal meliputi keterbatasan modal, kurangnya keterampilan manajemen usaha, pengetahuan dasar tentang layanan wisata, serta promosi yang belum optimal dan belum menyentuh pasar yang lebih luas. Sedangkan permasalahan eksternal meliputi minimnya dukungan kebijakan berkelanjutan dari pemerintah, keterbatasan infrastruktur penunjang seperti akses jalan dan jaringan internet, serta rendahnya keterlibatan stakeholder seperti pelaku industri pariwisata dan investor lokal. Upaya pemberdayaan masyarakat dilakukan melalui pelatihan manajemen usaha, peningkatan kualitas layanan wisata yang ramah dan profesional, serta penguatan identitas lokal melalui pemanfaatan budaya, seni, dan kuliner khas Gayo sebagai daya tarik utama. Strategi promosi digital melalui media sosial, situs web desa, dan platform daring lainnya juga ditingkatkan untuk memperluas jangkauan pasar. Selain itu, penguatan kerja sama antara masyarakat, pemerintah daerah, dan sektor swasta menjadi strategi utama dalam menciptakan model pengelolaan homestay yang inklusif, partisipatif, dan berkelanjutan di Desa Mendale. Diharapkan dengan adanya program ini, potensi pariwisata desa dapat berkembang secara optimal dan memberikan dampak ekonomi langsung bagi masyarakat.

Kata Kunci: Strategi Pemberdayaan, Homestay, Takengon, Desa Mendele, Strategi Pengelolaan

This community service program provides training on homestay development strategies as a promotional tool in the context of enhancing tourism in Mendale Village, Kebayakan Subdistrict, Central Aceh Regency. This initiative is motivated by the great tourism potential of Mendale Village, including its natural beauty, the rich Gayo cultural heritage, and the hospitality of its people, which have not yet been fully optimized. The aim of this research is to describe the problems faced by the community in managing homestays and to identify empowerment efforts that can be implemented in the development of homestays in Mendale Village. The research employs a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation involving homestay owners, village authorities, and local residents. The results show that the problems in homestay management involve both internal and external aspects. Internal issues include limited capital, lack of business management skills, insufficient basic knowledge of tourism services, and suboptimal promotion that has yet to reach broader markets. On the other hand, external issues involve a lack of sustainable policy support from the government, inadequate supporting infrastructure such as road access and internet connectivity, and the low involvement of stakeholders such as tourism industry players and local investors. Community empowerment efforts are carried out through business management training, improvement of friendly and professional tourism services, and strengthening of local identity by utilizing Gayo culture, arts, and culinary traditions as main attractions. Digital marketing strategies through social media, the village website, and other online platforms are also enhanced to expand market reach. Moreover, strengthening collaboration among the community, local government, and the private sector is a key strategy in creating an inclusive, participatory, and sustainable homestay management model in Mendale Village. It is expected that this program will enable the village's tourism potential to develop optimally and bring direct economic benefits to the local community. Keywords: Empowerment Strategy, Homestay, Takengon, Mendale Village, Management Strategy