Impact of Mount Sinabung Eruption on Tourism Industry in Karo Regency, North Sumatra

This paper outlines the impact of natural disasters on the tourism industry, specifically the volcano eruption of Mount Sinabung in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. It discusses the effects on the local economy, hotels, and tourism, as well as the importance of contingency plans for the industry.

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN TOURISM

Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Literature review 2
Commentary about the eruption and the area 2
Affecting the tourism in the area where eruption occurs 3
Impact on tourists and the local people 4
Research focus 4
Interview linking to literature review 5
Conclusion 6
References 7
1

Introduction
In order to ensure the sustainability of any business sector, it is important to undertake the
changes in social, political, environmental, economic and technology. Travel and tourism
business sector is one of a kind that has undertaken those changes at a very large scale (Boniface,
Cooper and Cooper, 2016). The business operation of travel and tourism business sector is
largely affected by those social, political, environmental, economic and technological aspects.
There are several factors that affect tourism industry positively and negatively. In today's world,
natural disasters like a volcano eruption, climate change, flood, Tsunami etc are the main aspects
that can occur at any time unexpectedly (Awedyk and Niezgoda 2018). The locality of karo
regency, North Sumatra is largely affected by the geophysical disaster of mount sinabung
eruption. The number of tourists visiting the area have been dropped by 60% due to the
continuous eruption of mount sinabung in karo regency North Sumatra. This paper will outline
the importance of travel and tourism sector of Indonesia and how it is affected by the natural
disasters like the volcano eruption of mount sinabung. This paper will also provide a whole lot of
how it effects the locality and its economy.
Literature review
Commentary about the eruption and the area
There are 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia and Mount sinabung is one of them which for 400
years had been inactive. But since 2010 when a high mountain of 2.8 km has woken up, things
got changed and Mount sinabung has started erupting and spreading fumes and ashes since then.
The surrounding has become a no man's land (Kusumayudha, Lestari and Paripurno 2018).
Volcano eruption is something that experts cannot tell or unable to predict the time frame of
eruption. 23 people were killed during the volcano eruption of 2014 and more than 25000 people
were dislocated from a total number of 34 village during that time. Besides this, karo regency is
known for its natural and scenic beauty and a large number of people come every year to soothe
the eyes and the beautiful views and the cool fresh air area of the highlands. There are some
villages like Tiga Pancur Village, Perteguhan Village, Tiga Kicat Village which are the safe
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zones and the ideal viewing points for the tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty of glorious
panorama of mount sinabung.
Affecting the tourism in the area where eruption occurs
There are several factors that affect tourism industry positively and negatively. In today's world
natural disasters like a volcano eruption, climate change, flood, Tsunami etc are the main aspects
that can occur at any time unexpectedly (Welzer 2015). In last few years, the tourism industry of
karo regency is largely affected by the natural disaster like the volcano eruption of mount
sinabung. Karo regency North Sumatra is known for its natural beauty and its culture. People
from all over the world come to this place at a large number every year. The volcano eruption of
mount sinabung has caused the tourist destinations of karo regency to lose its beauty and culture
and the local economy for extended period of time (Thomas 2015). The local economy of karo
regency depends heavily on the tourism industry for the livelihood of its people. The locality of
karo regency, North Sumatra is largely affected by the geophysical disaster of mount sinabung
eruption. The number of tourists visiting the area have been dropped by 60% due to the
continuous eruption mount sinabung in karo regency North Sumatra. The recent eruption of 2017
has displaced 12,000 people from the regency. Karo regency is famous for producing vegetables
and fruits. Mount sinabung eruption has disrupted local economy and smallholder farming in
karo regency North Sumatra (Svara 2015). The hotels of karo regency are damaged financially
due to the lack of tourists. In berastagi, a renowned tourist spot 30 kilometres from karo regency,
a number of hotels had cancelled many events due to the increased activity of volcano. The
eruption of mount sinabung has started from 2010 and until due date it has occurred a number of
times. According to the estimation reported by the Jakarta post, the financial loss due to the
continuous Mount sinabung eruption is huge and have reached to Rp 2 billion till the date and
the number will increase in future. Tourism business sector of karo regency has always been a
key factor which brings economic development and new business opportunities in that region of
north Sumatra. In order to ensure the sustainability of the tourism business industry, the
possibility of natural disaster like volcano eruption of mount sinabung should be taken into
account by the tourism industry of karo regency (Wulandari, Sagala and Coffey 2016). Tourism
companies of Karo region should have a better disaster emergency plan in place which will make
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it easier for them to recover from the damage caused by the volcano eruption and at the same
time it will also reduce the damage caused by this natural disaster.
Impact on tourists and the local people
The volcano eruption of mount sinabung, which is in north Sumatra, 40 kilometres away from
the famous Lake toba, has become a common occurrence in Indonesia, particularly at this region
of karo regency. The volcano eruption of mount sinabung directly affects the local people
because of the services they provide in terms of transport and F&B services. The volcano
eruption of mount sinabung, which is in north Sumatra 40 kilometres away from the famous
Lake toba, has become a common occurrence in Indonesia, particularly at this region of Karo
Regency. Karo regency is known for its horticulture (production of vegetables and fruits). Mount
sinabung eruption has disrupted local economy and smallholder farming in karo regency North
Sumatra. The hotels of karo regency are damaged financially due to the lack of tourists
(Tampubolon, Nainggolan, Ginting and Aritonang 2018). During the last volcano eruption of
mount sinabung, the residential areas including roads and trails were totally damaged. Due to bad
transportation and accessibility, the number of tourists visiting karo regency has been decreased
by 60%. A number of hotels in berastagi, a renowned tourist spot 30 km away from karo
regency, had cancelled many events due to the increased activity of volcano during the last
volcano eruption of mount sinabung (Wright et al. 2018). The local economy of karo regency
depends heavily on the tourism industry for the livelihood of its people. The locality of karo
regency, North Sumatra is largely affected by the geophysical disaster of mount Sinabung
eruption (Budianto et al. 2017).
Research focus
There are several factors that affect tourism industry positively and negatively. In today's world
natural disasters like a volcano eruption, climate change, flood, Tsunami etc are the main aspects
that can occur at any time unexpectedly. Natural hazards have caused an enormous damage to
the travel and tourism industry again and again. The geographical location of karo regency is
isolated and small structures which increases the probability of natural disturbance in those areas
(Hariyono and Liliasari 2018). Mainly mountain areas of karo regency are prone to extreme
natural disaster that directly affects the locality and the safety and enjoyment of the tourists. This
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research paper is focused on providing an overview of increased risk of damage by natural
hazards in travel and tourism industry of karo regency, North Sumatra.
Interview linking to literature review
The literature review has covered the impact of natural disaster on the tourism business sector of
karo regency North Sumatra. Karo regency North Sumatra is known for its natural beauty and its
culture. People from all over the world come to this place at a large number every year. The
volcano eruption of mount sinabung has caused the tourist destinations of karo regency lose its
beauty and culture and the local economy for extended period of time (Hilman 2018). The
locality of karo regency, North Sumatra is largely affected by the geophysical disaster of mount
sinabung eruption. The number of tourists visiting the area has been dropped by 60% due to the
continuous eruption mount sinabung in karo regency North Sumatra. In order to get the full
overview of the impact of mount sinabung eruption on the tourism business sector of karo
regency, the learner has taken an interview of Mr. Shuren Ulaganathan, a Guest Relations
Manager of The Fullerton Bay Hotel, F&B Department. The volcano eruption of mount
sinabung, which is in north Sumatra, 40 kilometres away from the famous Lake toba, has
become a common occurrence in Indonesia, particularly at this region of karo regency. When
asked about the standard of procedures in a resort or a hotel in the area of Karo regency which is
a prone to natural disaster like volcano eruption of mount sinabung, Mr. Shuren has confirmed
that there is a lot of procedure and planning in case an eruption or some sort of disaster happens.
It is the hotel’s top priority to make sure the guests are informed as soon as possible and it’s a
matter that isn’t in their hands. It is the duty of the authority of the hotel to make sure the safety
of the guests and to execute disaster emergency plans in the highest order. In tourism business
industry, every guest is important for the company as the word of one happy guest can go a long
way for the business. Mr. Shuren confirmed that the volcano eruption of mount sinabung directly
affects the local people because of the services they provide in terms of transport and F&B
services. When the volcano eruption of mount sinabung occurs, the air gets thick, volcanic ash is
everywhere, it gets hard to breathe. The recent eruption of 2017 has displaced 12,000 people
from the regency. Karo regency is famous for producing vegetables and fruits. Mount sinabung
eruption has disrupted local economy and smallholder farming in karo regency North Sumatra.
The hotels of karo regency are damaged financially due to the lack of tourists. In berastagi, a
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renowned tourist spot 30 kilometres from karo regency, a number of hotels had cancelled many
events due to the increased activity of volcano. When volcano erupts from a mountain, it effects
the locality directly and in order to make sure the safety of the tourists, there are a lot of
contingency plans that has to be set up and a lot of service are affected during this time which
means it effects a certain flow of revenue (Pyke, Law, Jiang and de Lacy 2018). Mr. Shuren has
also explained why it has become very difficult to promote tourism business sector of Indonesia
especially for those areas with natural disasters. So, the promoting has to be done in the most
informative way possible. Such natural disasters efforts overall economy of the tourism business
sector as it causes lesser bookings which means lesser people in the hotel, lesser people in the
hotel means lesser people to use whatever services the hotel provides.
Conclusion
Tourism industry contributes a lot to the economy of Indonesia. So, it is important to improve all
the sector that shares ideas, culture, experiences to the tourists by all means. There are various
problems the travel and tourism industry of Indonesia is facing now a days and the decision
makers of the industry should come forward with a strategic and contingency plan in order to
solve those problem. Tourism business sector of karo regency has always been a key factor
which brings economic development and new business opportunities in that region of north
Sumatra. In order to ensure the sustainability of the tourism business industry, the possibility of
natural disaster like volcano eruption of mount sinabung should be taken into account by the
tourism industry of karo regency. This paper has outlined the importance of travel and tourism
sector of Indonesia and how it is affected by the natural disasters like the volcano eruption of
mount sinabung. This paper has also provided a whole lot of how it effects the locality and its
economy.
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References
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