EMPOWERING LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH CREATIVE ECONOMY: STRENGTHENING SENTANI LAKE TOURISM VILLAGES AND HANDICRAFT COMPETITIVENESS IN JAYAPURA REGENCY, PAPUA PROVINCE

Abstract

The development of the creative economy is pivotal in strengthening the tourism industry and enhancing community well-being. Sentani Lake, located in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province remains a popular tourist destination in Papua, supported by key attractions such as the Sentani Lake, located in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province Festival and Kampung Yoboi tourism. Although explicit recent data on visitor numbers is limited, past trends indicate steady growth, with 57,241 visitors in 2016, 59,226 in 2017, and 62,356 in 2018. The economic contribution of tourism-related activities in Sentani Lake, located in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province is estimated at approximately Rp1.5 billion per year, with around 39.8% of tourist spending occurring outside the lake area, benefiting local artisans and businesses. This study explores the role of the creative economy in empowering local communities around Sentani Lake, located in Jayapura Regency, Papua Province, Jayapura, by improving tourism villages and promoting handicraft competitiveness. The research employs a qualitative approach, including field observations, supported by a triangulation methodology to ensure data validity. Additionally, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) using the Fishbone Diagram is applied to identify core challenges in the creative economy and tourism sector. The findings indicate that the integration of creative economy initiatives, such as indigenous art and craft industries, into tourism strategies significantly boosts economic resilience and preserves cultural heritage. This study suggests policy recommendations for sustainable tourism and community-based economic development.