STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELLING OF SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION MANAGEMENT IN THE BATURRADEN TOURIST AREA, INDONESIA

The study aims to test three variables that are estimated to have powerful performances in sustainable destination management (SDM), i.e., destination management (DM), Panginyongan local culture (PLC), and sustainable tourism (ST). The perceptions of 300 respondents consisting of residents, visitors, private sector, academics, media, and government, were then analyzed with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). As a result, DM is significant to ST; PLC is significant to ST; DM is not significant to SDM; PLC is significant for SDM; DM and PLC simultaneously with ST mediation are significant for SDM. The scope of implementation of this study's outcome is for the tourist area manager. The study's novelty is developing an SEM of SDM in the Baturraden tourist area through three variables, i.e., DM, PLC, and ST. The finding that DM is not significant to SDM, however, if applied simultaneously between DM and PLC and mediated by ST, will have a significant effect. In conclusion, some indicators that need to be improved encompass strengthening the function of the management body, the application of the CHSE protocol, the local community's sense of belonging to the local culture, zoning planning and monitoring of tourism activities, and stakeholder complicity in the management of tourist areas. The study's scientific contribution is that, if the two theories are linked, i.e., destination management and sustainable tourism, it will initiate the framework of sustainable destination management.