Strategi Pemberdayaan Ekonomi Kreatif Berbasis Kearifan Lokal di Destinasi Wisata Kabupaten Lombok Utara

Abstract

Creative economy development in tourist destinations is often discussed as a question of product innovation, yet the more difficult issue is whether local actors can turn cultural assets into sustainable business capacity without reducing culture to a mere commercial symbol. This study examined local-wisdom-based creative economy empowerment and its relation to business development in North Lombok Regency. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was applied. The quantitative phase involved 100 creative economy actors who completed a 40-item Likert questionnaire, while the qualitative phase involved 10 purposively selected informants representing culinary businesses, crafts, homestays, cultural/community figures, and government. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and through simple linear regression, supported by HC3 robust standard errors, Spearman correlation, bootstrap, and sensitivity checks. Qualitative data were coded thematically and integrated through a joint display. Empowerment strategies were rated high (M = 3.90), as was business development (M = 3.97). The regression coefficient was positive and statistically significant (B = 0.749; t = 11.990; p < 0.001; R² = 0.595). Interviews showed that progress was most visible in product quality, confidence, innovation, and local identity, whereas income and market expansion remained constrained by seasonal tourism, uneven assistance, financing, legal status, distribution, and weak market partnerships. The study proposes a 7P empowerment model that links capacity building, local product innovation, financing, market partnerships, cultural protection, and measurable follow-up. The findings underline that stronger internal capacity needs to be connected to a functioning market ecosystem before it is consistently translated into income growth