Development of Religious Tourism as an Alternative for Increasing the Sustainable Economy of Rural Communities (An Analysis of the Review of Potentials, Constraints and Solutions in Jambi Province)

Abstract

This study aims to describe an analysis of the potential, challenges and obstacles to developing religious tourism in Jambi Province as an effort to improve the economy of rural communities. The approach used in this research is qualitative with data collection techniques through interviews, observation and documentation. The results of the study show that Jambi has good potential to develop religious tourism as an alternative in improving the sustainable economy of rural communities. Furthermore, alternative strategies that need to be considered for developing religious tourism include: 1) through exploration activities, 2) variety of objects and supporting facilities, 3) massification of information on religious tourism objects, 4) optimization of human resources managing tourism objects, 5) building adequate infrastructure, and 6) develop supporting policies as well as a legal umbrella. Several tourist objects that can be used as religious tourism icons in Jambi Province include: 1) Mosques, there are several historic mosques in Jambi that can be developed as religious tourism destinations including: ancient mosques, namely: Pondok Tinggi Grand Mosque, Central Island Sacred Mosque, The Nurul Mosque on Jalan Tanjung Pauh, the Ancient Lempur Tengah Mosque in Kerinci which was built during the Dutch colonial era, the 1000 pillar mosque in Jambi City and so on, 2) Temples, there are several temples that have the potential to be developed, including: Muaro Jambi Temple, Kedaton Temple, Pagoda, in Jambi there is a historic temple built around 1800 AD and has the potential to become a tourist attraction, namely the Siu San Teng Temple or the familiar Hok Tek Temple located in Jambi City, and 4) Al-Quran Village located in Penegah Village, Kec. District Warriors Sarolangun was founded in 2018.