TOURIST MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING THE REVITALIZATION OF BALEKAMBANG PARK: A TOURISM LAW PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of visitor management following the revitalization of Balekambang Park as a public space and a leading tourism destination in the City of Surakarta. The focus of the research is directed toward three main aspects of visitor management, namely physical, regulatory, and educational management, as well as their integration in supporting the principles of sustainable tourism. The research employs an empirical legal research method with a qualitative approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the management of the Regional Public Service Agency–Technical Implementation Unit (BLUD UPTD) of the Tourism Area and non-participant observation of visitor activities and park facilities. The data were analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method by examining and interpreting field findings based on relevant conceptual frameworks and legal provisions. The results indicate that the revitalization of Balekambang Park has successfully improved the physical quality of the area and increased visitor numbers; however, visitor management has not yet been implemented optimally in an integrated manner. Physical management is relatively more developed than regulatory and educational management, which continue to face institutional constraints, weaknesses in rule enforcement, and limitations in systematic visitor education. This study concludes that the effectiveness of visitor management is highly dependent on the strengthening of technical regulations, the integration of educational strategies, and the enhancement of the institutional capacity of the managing authority in order to achieve sustainable destination management.