The PentaHelix Model in the Development of Agrotourism in Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the role of each pentahelix element (government, community, academia, business, and media) in agrotourism development, identify internal and external factors influencing agrotourism, and formulate strategies to optimize collaboration among these elements in Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency. This research uses both qualitative and quantitative approaches and The field research was conducted in Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province, in February 2025. Although the data collection period was one month, it was preceded by careful preparation and coordination to ensure the quality and completeness of the data. Data collection is conducted through in-depth interviews and surveys with key stakeholders in agrotourism development. The analytical methods used include A'WOT Analysis, IFAS/EFAS, and a combination of QSPM. The research results show that each pentahelix element plays an important and interconnected role. The government acts as a regulator and facilitator by providing policies and infrastructure, which are then supported by the community. The community plays an active role in implementing and managing agrotourism, while academia provides the theoretical foundation and research for innovation. The business sector opens opportunities for investment and job creation, while the media plays a role in promoting and enhancing the image of the destination. The synergy among these elements creates sustainable agrotourism development in Sembalun. Based on the analysis of internal and external factors, eight key factors were found to have the greatest influence on agrotourism development. The highest-scoring external factors include increased tourist interest in nature tourism (0.51), supportive government policies (0.50), digitalization and social media as promotional tools (0.46), and rising awareness of sustainability (0.40). However, the main challenges include negative news and hoaxes (0.46), dependence on seasons and weather (0.45), lack of government attention to agrotourism compared to other tourism sectors (0.43), and limited policy and infrastructure support (0.37). Therefore, the development strategy should focus on utilizing tourism trends and strengthening policy support. To optimize collaboration among the pentahelix elements, the recommended strategies based on QSPM are: (1) Optimizing regulations and government support by expanding collaboration with academia and business; (2) Leveraging digital media to enhance promotion of nature-based and agricultural tourism; (3) Increasing collaboration among pentahelix elements to optimize access to funding for businesses and other elements; and (4) Enhancing digital infrastructure to expand media access for tourism promotion and support the digitalization of agrotourism services. These strategies are expected to strengthen synergy among the elements and support the sustainability of agrotourism in Sembalun.