Apollo: Journal of Tourism and Business

Optimization of Illustration Content on Raraaef's Instagram Account by Using the Design Thinking Method

Felia Hutari Dwi Putri — 2026-09-18

Technological advancements have made social media an important platform for illustrators to publish their work, build a creative identity, and reach a wider audience. However, Raraaef’s Instagram account still faces the challenge of low audience engagement, as evidenced by relatively low numbers of likes and comments. This study aims to optimize the illustration content on Raraaef’s Instagram account to make it more engaging, informative, and capable of increasing audience engagement. The method used is Design Thinking, which includes the stages of Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. Data was collected through interviews, questionnaires, Instagram Insights, and evaluations using a Likert scale. The results of the study show that the designed Instagram Reels content was able to increase audience engagement. The evaluation results showed a feasibility percentage of 89% for the first piece of content, 87% for the second, and 89% for the third, all of which fall into the “highly feasible” category. Additionally, an analysis of the implementation of engagement strategies revealed that relevant, authentic, and interactive content contributed to increased audience engagement. Thus, the Design Thinking method proved effective in optimizing the illustrated content on the Raraaef Instagram account.

Tarakan as a Tourism Gateway: Integrating Coastal and Inland Destinations in North Kalimantan

Efraim Bavo Priyana — 2026-09-18

Tarakan is a small island city whose tourism potential combines mangrove conservation, Tidung cultural heritage, colonial and World War II history, coastal festivals, and distinctive gastronomy, while complementary ecological and cultural resources are dispersed across inland North Kalimantan. The principal planning problem is the weak integration of these assets into a coherent regional destination system. This study aims to develop and assess a Tarakan-centered tourism gateway model that links coastal and inland destinations through the 4A dimensions of Attractions, Accessibility, Amenities, and Ancillary services. A strategic destination-synthesis approach was used to examine a structured indicator matrix, spatial and thematic destination characteristics, cultural-event timing, and a phased regional roadmap. The assessment shows that conservation and cultural attractions provide a strong foundation for regional integration, whereas accommodation, gastronomy-related quality assurance, institutional capacity, creative-economy support, selected access functions, and destination digitalization remain comparatively less mature. The integrated model positions Tarakan as an interpretive and service gateway connecting heritage, ecotourism, community tourism, festivals, gastronomy, and inland adventure products. The proposed roadmap prioritizes event-calendar coordination, guide and community capacity, service and digital strengthening, and proportionate visitor-risk management. The findings imply that destination competitiveness in a peripheral island-border setting depends less on adding isolated attractions than on coordinating complementary products, support services, local institutions, and community benefits across the regional tourism system.

The Effect of Public Shareholding and Environmental Costs on Low Carbon Economy Disclosure: The Mediating Role of Green Initiatives

Dewi Kirowati — 2026-09-18

This paper examines how public equity allocation and environmental expenditure influence corporate Low Carbon Economy Disclosure (LCED), emphasizing the intervening role of green initiatives. Drawing upon Stakeholder and Legitimacy theories, we analyze environmentally sensitive Indonesian listed firms—spanning manufacturing, mining, energy, plantation, and utility sectors—participating in the PROPER program from 2021 through 2024. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) on a purposively selected panel dataset, we evaluate both direct structural paths and indirect mediation mechanisms. The statistical output demonstrates that direct public equity participation exhibits a significant negative association with LCED, whereas environmental costs display a non-significant direct effect. Crucially, mediation analysis reveals that green initiatives successfully bridge public shareholding to heightened low-carbon disclosure quality yet fail to mediate the path from environmental expenditure to LCED. Methodological robustness tests, including out-of-sample predictive evaluations () and discriminant validity checks (HTMT), confirm the empirical stability of the structural relationships. These results indicate that internal environmental programs serve as a pivotal operational bridge translating market ownership pressures into transparent corporate reporting. Consequently, corporate leaders must shift from passive regulatory compliance toward active, sustainability-driven programs to advance Net Zero Emission goals and elevate ESG reporting standards.

Spatial Utilization Suitability of Terban Madani Row Housing in the Code River Riparian Zone, Yogyakarta

Wanda Aziza — 2026-09-18

Rapid urbanization and population growth in Indonesian cities have increased pressure on riparian lands. In the city of Yogyakarta, this trend has long characterized the riparian zone of the Code River, prompting the city government to develop the Terban Madani row-house complex as part of a slum upgrading program in Terban Kota Village, Gondokusuman District. This study analyzes the compliance of land use in the Terban Madani area with the 2021–2041 Yogyakarta City Detailed Spatial Plan (RDTR) and identifies the factors driving development in the area. A mixed-methods design combined GIS overlays of land-use data, slope, soil type, and RDTR zoning with qualitative descriptive analysis of semi-structured interviews across six categories of informants, processed using the Miles and Huberman interactive model. The results show that spatial utilization is fully consistent with the administrative zoning guidelines of the RDTR; however, this location is situated on a riverbank slope exceeding 45%, is dominated by Regosol soil, and lies within an earthquake-prone zone with physical conditions outside the scope of the zoning—representing a different dimension of compliance that requires geotechnical protection even though it formally complies with regulations. Development is driven by three interrelated factors: the government’s in-situ land consolidation approach to upgrade slum areas, land scarcity that limits relocation options, and the residents’ long-term socioeconomic dependence on the area’s strategic location. These findings indicate that formal compliance with spatial plans alone does not guarantee physical safety or long-term sustainability, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring, densification control, and hazard mitigation in Terban Madani and similar riparian settlements in Indonesia

Digital Tourist Journey: The Transformation of Tourist Experiences in the Era of Digital Tourism

Irma Juwita Telaumbanua — 2026-09-18

The rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed tourists’ behavior throughout the travel journey. This study explores how tourists use digital technology across travel stages, identifies the platforms employed, and examines their roles in supporting travel experiences. A descriptive qualitative approach involved eight Indonesian domestic tourists aged 18–40 who had independently or semi-independently undertaken leisure travel within Indonesia during the previous year using at least three digital platforms. Sample adequacy was guided by information power, with interviews continuing until no new codes emerged. Semi-structured interviews followed a five-stage digital tourist journey framework: dreaming, planning, booking, experiencing, and sharing. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings show that tourists continuously integrate social media, online travel agencies, navigation applications, digital payments, communication platforms, and generative artificial intelligence across their journeys. The analysis identifies key behavioral mechanisms, including uncertainty reduction and trust-building through peer-generated content, cross-platform verification and switching, reliance on algorithmic curation, and emerging digital dependency. Digital technology enhanced convenience, efficiency, and decision-making confidence, while information overload, misleading reviews, technical failures, and privacy concerns remained challenges. Generative AI use by all participants is treated as an exploratory observation rather than a generalizable pattern. The findings extend understanding of digital tourist behavior and offer practical insights for destination management organizations, tourism businesses, and platform developers seeking more integrated, user-centered digital tourism services.

Tax Knowledge and The Role of Instagram on Students' Perception of Tax Payment Compliance Motor Vehicle

Deviana Agustin — 2026-09-18

Motor vehicle tax is an important source of Regional Original Revenue (Pendapatan Asli Daerah/PAD) in Indonesia and contributes significantly to regional development. However, despite the growing number of registered motor vehicles, tax compliance remains relatively low. As prospective taxpayers, students are expected to develop positive perceptions of tax compliance through adequate tax knowledge and access to digital tax education. Instagram, as a widely used social media platform among young adults, provides an effective medium for disseminating tax-related information. This study aims to analyze the influence of tax knowledge and the role of Instagram on the perceptions of eighth-semester Management students at Universitas Bina Bangsa regarding motor vehicle tax compliance. A quantitative approach with a survey method was employed. Data were collected from 229 respondents selected using purposive sampling through structured questionnaires. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, t-tests, F-tests, and the coefficient of determination using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 30. The results show that tax knowledge has a positive and significant effect (t =4,310; Sig.= <0,001) and Instagram social media also has a positive and significant effect (t = 8,475; Sig. = <0,001). Simultaneously, both variables significantly affect students' perceptions (F = 59,721; Sig. = <0,001) with an Adjusted R Square of 0,340, explaining 34% of the variance. The study concludes that improving tax knowledge and optimizing Instagram as an educational medium contribute to more positive student perceptions of motor vehicle tax payment compliance.

An Analysis of the Projected Destination Image of Ryukyu Mura as a Cultural Tourism Destination in Okinawa, Japan: Cultural Attributes, Staged Representation, and a Proposed Image-Formation Mechanism

Samsiah Hardianto — 2026-09-25

Destination image is conventionally understood as tourists’ perceptions, yet these perceptions interact with the image projected by destinations. This study focuses on the projected (supply-side) image of Ryukyu Mura, a reconstructed cultural village in Okinawa, Japan, examining how Okinawan heritage is curated and communicated through cultural attributes rather than measuring tourists’ perceptions. A qualitative visual-documentary design combined non-participant observation, analysis of interpretive signage, and systematic photographic documentation. Data were examined using six-phase reflexive thematic analysis supported by a written codebook, independent double coding, negotiated resolution of disagreements, and an audit trail. Three themes emerged: (1) traditional architecture and village environment, (2) cultural performances and activities, and (3) traditional lifestyle and material culture. Each attribute was further classified by heritage provenance and dominant mode of tourism mediation, distinguishing conserved heritage resources, reconstructed settings, cultural symbols, performative representations, and commodified tourism products. Drawing on staged, constructive, and emergent authenticity, the study proposes a five-stage mechanism: cultural attributes → curation and staging → cultural representation → visitor interpretation → destination image. Four interaction principles—redundancy, complementarity, symbolic condensation, and participation—explain how staged attributes may contribute to a distinctive and credible cultural destination identity. The study contributes an attribute-level, criteria-based framework for examining how reconstructed attractions assemble projected heritage images and offers a transferable analytical procedure for similar cultural tourism sites. The absence of visitor data remains the principal limitation and provides the basis for a planned second phase.

From Heritage Site to Hybrid Tourism Destination: Tourism Attraction Diversification at Prambanan Temple

Rizki Avinda Pricilla — 2026-09-25

Heritage destinations increasingly diversify their tourism products, yet the conditions under which diversification produces a distinct destination form remain insufficiently specified. This study examines the transformation of Prambanan Temple from a predominantly heritage-based destination into a hybrid tourism destination. An embedded single-case qualitative design was employed, combining semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, 14 protocol-guided observation visits, and 27 documents, analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. Seven forms of attraction diversification were identified: heritage and historical experiences, performing arts and cultural entertainment, culinary experiences, nature and recreation, creative economy and shopping, recreational mobility, and participatory cultural experiences. The evidence indicates that these products accumulated over time and are now integrated commercially and institutionally under a shared destination brand, while the temple remains the dominant visit motivation and interpretive frame. The study defines a hybrid tourism destination through four necessary conditions: domain heterogeneity, core anchoring, operational and commercial integration, and interpretive framing. Heritage compatibility is uneven: performance and participatory products extend heritage interpretation, whereas mobility, catering, and some nature-based products mainly expand visit purposes. Reported extensions of the visitor experience represent participants’ perceptions rather than measured behavioural outcomes. The study contributes empirically testable transformation criteria and proposes a Destination Diversification Assessment Framework for evaluating heritage compatibility, visitor-experience contribution, community participation, economic value, environmental impact, and cultural authenticity.