Tourism Development in Mendelem Village, Pemalang Regency

Pengembangan Pariwisata di Desa Mendelem, Kabupaten Pemalang

Abstract

General Background: Rural tourism development requires collaboration among government, local communities, and business actors to promote sustainable local economic development. Specific Background: In Mendelem Village, Pemalang Regency, Regional Grant Agreement (Perjanjian Hibah Daerah/PHD) No. 050/2192/2018 served as a local government support instrument for improving road access to Taman Rancah Via Ferrata on Mendelem Hill. Research Gap: Further investigation is needed into the relationship between infrastructure grant arrangements, the allocation of responsibilities, and the institutional prerequisites for sociopreneurship-based tourism development. Aims: This study aims to analyze the collaborative arrangements established in the grant agreement using the Collaborative governance framework proposed by Ansell and Gash. It employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive case study design, drawing on document analysis, an interview with the Secretary of Mendelem Village, and a literature review. Result: The findings indicate that the grant, valued at IDR 199,801,000, established formal commitments and responsibilities concerning asset utilization and maintenance. The interview revealed that road improvements were prioritized because the existing access route was damaged and difficult to traverse. However, evidence regarding multi-stakeholder dialogue, trust-building, shared understanding, and socioeconomic impacts remains limited. Novelty: The novelty of this study lies in distinguishing between documented administrative commitments and collaborative processes that require empirical verification. Implications: Transparent post-grant reporting, a clear allocation of maintenance responsibilities, and inclusive coordination are necessary to support sustainable, community-based tourism development.