In recent years, the rapid growth of virtual technology has penetrated the tourism industry, and the pandemic has boosted its tremendous growth worldwide, including in Indonesia. Travel restrictions due to prevention strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic have been responsible for increasing the demand for virtual tours and creating a niche market in tourism, rather than only being a tool for promotional marketing. It is deemed important to understand the market in order to develop a sustainable market in this sector successfully. Therefore, this study examined the motivations of virtual tourists and determined whether virtual tour experiences can influence their motivation to visit the destination. First, a quantitative research method using factor analysis with a total of 111 (n) completed questionnaires was performed. Then, with content analysis, the descriptive representation of the content was established to support the factor dimension. This study found that there were five factors of the main motivations for tourists to do virtual tour activities. They are “Relaxing & well-being”, “Novelty”, “Education & Learning”, “Tendency to visit the destination”, and “Digital experience”. Furthermore, this study found that the real physical travel experience is irreplaceable, but virtual tour brings new & unique experience to tourists. The results of this research can be implemented by the tourism business to enhance the understanding and development of the future of virtual tours experience in the tourism industry. It can also contribute to the current knowledge of digital tourism applications, particularly in Indonesia’s context.

Artikel ini mengkaji tentang bagaimana persepsi masyarakat lokal dapat mempengaruhi pariwisata budaya berkelanjutan di Jepang. Sejauh mana pandangan mereka mengenai kegiatan pariwisata di daerah mereka mempengaruhi sikap terhadap kegiatan pariwisata, dan bagaimana hal itu akan mempengaruhi partisipasi mereka dalam keberlangsungan pembangunan pariwisata berkelanjutan. Penelitian ini menggunakan kajian naratif dari penelitian sebelumnya sebagai data sekunder. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa persepsi penduduk Jepang terhadap pariwisata bersifat positif dan negatif. Sikap ini dipengaruhi oleh seberapa dekat interaksi mereka dengan industri dan kegiatan pariwisata. Sebagaimana dijelaskan dalam teori pertukaran sosial, kecenderungan penduduk setempat untuk mempertahankan pariwisata budaya yang berkelanjutan secara keseluruhan adalah negatif, karena dampak yang tidak menyenangkan lebih signifikan daripada manfaat yang mereka terima. Oleh karena itu, pengelola destinasi dan atau pemerintah daerah perlu menyusun perencanaan dan pengelolaan pasar yang lebih baik untuk mewujudkan pariwisata budaya yang berkelanjutan.

This study aims to identify and analyze the main destinations for cultural tourism in Bekasi City Regency using the Geographic Information System by using mixed methods through spatial geography and a descriptive qualitative approach. The data collection methods are through field surveys with notes, interviews, and documentation. The ArcGIS 10 software is used in order to visualize the data. Furthermore, the qualitative description of the data was served by using the theory of Tourism Products (Attraction, Accessibility, Amenities, and Ancillary). The results of the study indicate that there are four cultural tourism destinations that are the potential to become the representatives of cultural tourism in Bekasi, namely Kranggan Traditional Village, Juang 45 Museum, Hok Lay Temple, and Saung Ranggon Cultural Heritage. The data on each destination is presented in both visual and descriptive form with the purpose to know the distribution of the mapping pattern for the tourism-producing supporting facilities at the attraction and can then be used as an of providing information, data updates, and references to accommodate the developments and policies around the area in order to improve the quality of the tourist experiences while visiting.