Domestic tourist travel pattern shifts to Lake Toba post-operation of Tebing Tinggi–Sinaksak toll road

Abstract

This research is motivated by the designation of Lake Toba as a Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP), which demands significant improvements in accessibility. The operation of the Tebing Tinggi – Sinaksak toll road segment acts as a game changer, cutting travel time from Medan to the gateway of Lake Toba, which previously took 4-5 hours, to be much more efficient. The objective of this study is to analyze the shifts in domestic tourist travel patterns before and after the toll road's operation and to formulate adaptation strategies for tourism businesses in the affected areas. The study utilizes transport geography theories, specifically the space-time compression phenomenon and the concept of generalized cost in route selection. The method employed is descriptive qualitative, with data collection techniques involving interviews and field observations. The results are expected to provide recommendations for the government and stakeholders in mitigating economic impacts on the old arterial routes and optimizing tourism services in Parapat and Samosir island lake toba.