CHALLENGES FOR TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN WESTSUMATRA PROVINCE OF INDONESIA

The synergy between central and local governments, between the governments and the business community, or among adjacent regions are crucial to increasing the potential for regionally based tourism development. One of the primary keys for developing decent tourism industry is fulfilling the convenience of visitors (tourists), which may be achieved with friendly culture and societies, and reliable infrastructures between tourist destinations. West Sumatra Province has been known for rich cultures and beautiful landscapes. However, those does not help to attract tourists and the province has not yet become one of main tourist destination in Indonesia. Furthermore, there is a decline in tourists arrival in West-Sumatra, by 13.2% in 2015. It indicates that there are obstacles and challenges in the tourism industry in West Sumatra Province. To support the industry, this study has an aim to determine the capacity of infrastructures for tourism in West Sumatra. Several discussions with local governments officials had been conducted in this research, together with distributions of questionnaire survey and focus group discussion. The study portrayed the current condition of the infrastructures that may be served as a benchmark for future tourism development in the province. This study shows that many areas on infrastructure that are in need to be improved, so that tourism industry become lead sector in West Sumatra province.