Building a Future Halal Tourism Model in the Takabonerate Atoll Area through the Synergy of Smart Tourism and Conservation

Abstract

The global tourism landscape has transformed into a value-based industry, with the Halal Tourism segment experiencing phenomenal growth. Indonesia has a comparative advantage to dominate this market, as evidenced by its top ranking in the Global Muslim Travel Index. However, development in eastern regions, such as Takabonerate National Park, the world's third-largest atoll, faces a fundamental paradox. The atoll's world-class ecological potential is inversely proportional to its vulnerability to uncontrolled tourism pressures and limited halal infrastructure, such as access to clean water for ablutions and precise determination of the direction of the Qibla at sea. This study aims to formulate a new management model to fill the strategic gap and literature that tends to discuss Halal Tourism, Conservation, and Smart Tourism separately. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study proposes the "Takabonerate Smart Halal Eco-System" model. This model consists of three synergistic pillars: Smart Halal Services (e.g., Digital Qibla and E-Halal Traceability for thayyib assurance), Digital Conservation (e.g., IoT Environmental Monitoring and E-Ticketing based on carrying capacity quota), and Community-Based Digital Economy. This model positions digital technology as a bridge (enabler) that harmonizes human vertical needs (worship/halal) with their horizontal responsibilities to nature (conservation). The synergy of the three produces a spiritual, sustainable, and seamless tourism model, while also providing a practical roadmap for its gradual implementation.