Implementation of the National Strategic Tourism Area (KSPN) Development Policy for North Rupat Beach in Bengkalis Regency

Abstract

North Rupat Beach in Bengkalis Regency has been designated as a National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN), yet the implementation of its tourism development policy has not yielded optimal results. Key issues such as inadequate infrastructure, limited community participation, weak promotional strategies, and fragmented coordination among stakeholders hinder the effectiveness of the policy implementation. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the tourism development policy at North Rupat Beach by employing George C. Edwards III’s policy implementation model, which emphasizes four main variables: communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucratic structure. Additionally, the Van Meter and Van Horn model is utilized as a supporting framework to further explore variables such as policy standards and objectives, characteristics of implementing agencies, sociopolitical conditions, and implementers’ attitudes. The research adopts a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, direct observation, and document analysis. Informants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques, involving government officials, tourism actors, and local community members directly engaged in policy implementation. The findings reveal that the policy implementation has not been effective. Communication among actors remains inconsistent and fails to effectively reach the broader community. Limited human resources and underdeveloped infrastructure further weaken implementation capacity