PENGARUH TENUN ULOS TERHADAP KUNJUNGAN WISATA DI KOTA TARUTUNG

Abstrak

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis potensi tenun ulos sebagai daya tarik wisata budaya di Kota Tarutung. Ulos sebagai warisan budaya Batak memiliki nilai filosofis, simbolis, estetis dan sosial yang menjadikannya berpotensi besar dikembangkan sebagai atraksi wisata edukatif, komersial, kreatif dan berbasis kearifan lokal. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif melalui observasi, wawancara, serta dokumentasi terhadap pengrajin ulos, wisatawan, pelaku usaha, komunitas lokal dan pihak Dinas Pariwisata Kabupaten Tapanuli Utara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ulos memiliki daya tarik budaya yang sangat kuat serta mampu memberikan pengalaman wisata autentik, edukatif dan bermakna bagi pengunjung. Namun demikian, pengembangannya masih menghadapi berbagai kendala berupa kurangnya promosi, minimnya fasilitas pendukung, lemahnya regenerasi penenun muda, kurangnya inovasi produk, serta belum optimalnya kolaborasi antar stakeholder. Meskipun begitu, tenun ulos memiliki potensi signifikan untuk meningkatkan kunjungan wisata, memperkuat identitas budaya Batak dan mendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi kreatif masyarakat secara berkelanjutan melalui strategi pengembangan terpadu dan partisipasi aktif seluruh pihak terkait.

This study aims to analyze the potential of ulos weaving as a cultural tourism attraction in Tarutung City. Ulos, as a Batak cultural heritage, holds philosophical, symbolic, aesthetic, and social values that position it as a highly promising attraction for the development of educational, commercial, creative, and locally based tourism activities. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method through observation, interviews, and documentation involving ulos weavers, tourists, business actors, local communities, and the Tourism Office of North Tapanuli Regency. The findings reveal that ulos possesses strong cultural appeal and is capable of offering authentic, educational, and meaningful tourism experiences for visitors. However, its development still faces several challenges, including limited promotion, insufficient supporting facilities, low regeneration of young weavers, lack of product innovation, and suboptimal collaboration among stakeholders. Nevertheless, ulos weaving has significant potential to increase tourist visits, strengthen Batak cultural identity, and support the sustainable growth of the creative economy through integrated development strategies and active participation from all relevant parties.