Tourism Policy for Encouraging the Development of SMEs in Belitong, Indonesia

Objective – This study discusses the role of tourism policy in the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the province of Belitong, Indonesia.Methodology/Technique – This research applies mixed method analysis through the use of likert-scale questionnaires and interviews. The respondents completing the survey are from SME proprietors. Following the questionnaire, an interview with the Regent was delivered to confirm the findings.Findings – The research shows that people working in SMEs agree that tourism policy encourages the development of SMEs. However, it is shown that tourism policies need to be more inclusive, particularly with respect to shifting such policies from a mining (extractive) economy into a tourism economy.Novelty – This study resiliently makes suggestions for the improvement of public communication; some people fail to comprehend tourism policies which may lead to the ineffectiveness of the programs