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This research analyzes the characteristics of the local community on Karimunjawa Island with a poverty rate of 32% of the total population. It is a qualitative research supported by a quantitative approach. The data are collected through in-depth interview and survey. The results of research show that the traditional farmers and fishermen that disperse from the island are categorized as extremely poor. The poverty they experience is that of earnings. On the other hand, Karimunjawa has the potential to be a place of popular resort or holiday destination. The local people are interested in participating in tourism related activities. This research recommends strategies for community empowerment as an effort to eliminate poverty and enhance the quality of human resources through a Pro-Poor Tourism (PPT) approach based on vocational training in tourism.

The objectives of the research consisted of: (1) to identify the predominance of marine tourism activities and attractions in Turedawola Walo; (2) to analyze the degree of significance of activities and attractions, amenities, accessibility, local community conditions, safety, cleanliness and tourism information variables simultaneously and partially toward Turedawola Walo marine tourism quality; and (3) to examine the differences between direct and indirect participation of local community in the case of Turedawola Walo marine tourism development in North Nias Regency. This research was conducted in the village of Afulu, Afulu District, North Nias Regency by using a descriptive quantitative research method with the questionnaire addressed to 63 tourist/excursionist respondents and 80 local communities respondents used as samples. The results obtained were then processed and analyzed by using multiple linear regressions analysis to evaluate the significance and prove written hypotheses simultaneously and partially of seven factors affecting Turedawola Walo marine tourism quality and Mann-Whitney test to evaluate the differences between direct and indirect participation of local community in the case of Turedawola Walo marine tourism development. Results of the research indicated that: (1) the most predominant activities and tourist attractions in Turedawola Walo is surfing; (2) amenities, cleanliness and tourist information variables did not give significant contribution to the quality of Turedawola Walo marine tourism, while activities and attractions, accessibility, local community conditions, and tourism safety variables gave significant contribution to the quality of Turedawola Walo marine tourism; and (3) indirect participation greater than direct participation of local communities indicated that the majority of local community in Afulu village participated indirectly in the case of Turedawola Walo marine tourism development in North Nias Regency.