Tourism Policy to Enhance Tourist Arrivals in North Sulawesi

Abstract

North Sulawesi, Indonesia, possesses exceptional natural and cultural assets that position it as a strategic destination within the Coral Triangle and the broader ASEAN tourism corridor. Despite this potential, tourist arrivals remain below regional benchmarks. This paper examines existing tourism policies and proposes evidence-based strategies to increase tourist inflows through integrated governance, infrastructure development, community engagement, and digital promotion. Drawing on institutional theory and sustainable tourism frameworks, the study analyzes policy gaps and recommends a multi-stakeholder approach aligned with global best practices. The findings underscore the necessity of coherent, adaptive, and inclusive tourism policy formulation to transform North Sulawesi into a high-value, low-impact destination.