The Development of Local Culture as a Model for the Development of Maritime Tourism: A Study on Ritual Sedekah Laut in Gempolsewu Weleri

Abstract

The Sedekah Laut in Gempolsewu ritual is a traditional ritual of fishermen in Weleri which is held every year. Philosophically, Sedekah Laut is an activity as a form of gratitude to God for the gifts and salvation that has been given. The Weleri Kendal area is included in the Regional Tourism Corridor development plan aimed at developing maritime tourism. This paper focuses on maritime tourism modeling for creative sustainable regional development by developing a unique identity or characteristic in the Weleri area with the aim of increasing community empowerment and income. This article describes the basic concept of developing local culture as a form of maritime tourism development, explaining the relationship between the maritime tourism product model and the development of local culture in the context of empowerment and increasing community income. The basic for the development of local culture includes: Publication or introducing Gempolsewu as a maritime area in Central Java. Developing the diversity of cultural arts of the Gempolsewu community in the form of cultural attractions and making collaborations between cultural attractions and the availability of distinctive culinary delights. Advancing the folk handicraft industry to support the development of maritime tourism areas in Gempolsewu.