Apollo: Journal of Tourism and Business

Nok Kacung: Tourism Promotion Strategy Through Instagram Social Media

Crusitha Ken Ayu Putri Gunawan, Dedet Erawati — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Social media has become one of the most prominent tourism marketing channels, including Instagram whose main medium is photo sharing. This study aims to describe the strategies used by the Nok Kacung community in Cirebon regency to develop cultural-based tourism through their Instagram account @nokkacungcirebon, as well as the role of this community. Qualitative approaches were used in this research, including non-participant observation of Nok Kacung instagram (ig) account as well as intensive interviews throughout the collection data process about content release and management done by 2022-2024. The effectiveness of th eInstagram account will be analysed through an interactive model suggested by Mile and Huberman, so called social technology introduced in a paper written by Richard Blundel whose marketing strategies on the new media are regularly shared by Kotler and Keller; being ideas of community-based tourism demystified. The findings from the use of promotional strategy by Nok Kacung are in five significant purposes on social media marketing: function of content creator, audience engagement, group building, reinforcing brand awareness, and transforming. "Visual material gives not only information, but also strongly shows the richness of local culture and this believed to be significantly creates a positive view or impression toward Cirebon as tourist destination among their audiences. Instagram is not only a way of promoting tourism but learning about culture and hearing the voice of the local community.

Adapting Human Factor toward Well-Being and Performance: A Case Study of Ergonomics on Hybrid Work Environment

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This qualitative literature-based study explores the application of ergonomics, also known as human factors engineering, in contemporary hybrid work environments to optimize employee well-being and performance. Drawing on a systematic thematic analysis of 52 peer-reviewed publications (2024–2025) using NVivo software, the research consolidates knowledge across the International Ergonomics Association’s 3 core domains: physical, cognitive, and organizational ergonomics.

Findings reveal that hybrid work has intensified ergonomic risks: improvised home workstations frequently lead to musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue (physical domain); constant digital connectivity and poorly designed interfaces drive technostress, cognitive overload, and burnout (cognitive domain); while inadequate organizational policies, leadership support, and communication structures exacerbate disengagement and blurred work–life boundaries (organizational domain). Crucially, the domains are highly interdependent: physical discomfort amplifies cognitive load, organizational decisions shape both physical and cognitive demands, and holistic interventions addressing all three domains yield the strongest outcomes.

Supported by visual and quantitative analyses (word clouds, tree-maps, cluster maps, and dendrograms), the study confirms that ergonomics in hybrid settings must move beyond isolated physical adjustments to become a strategic, integrated system. Organizations that embed supportive policies, provide tangible ergonomic resources, and foster a proactive ergonomic culture achieve measurable gains in employee health, engagement, retention, and productivity.

The paper concludes with evidence-based recommendations for employers, employees, and future research, emphasizing that holistic ergonomics is no longer optional but a core driver of sustainable performance and organizational resilience in the era of hybrid work.

Blue Economy and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis of International Models and Türkiye’s Governance Capacity

Abdallah Abukalloub, Ayşe Güngör — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The blue economy is a holistic development approach that seeks to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social welfare through the sustainable use of marine and ocean resources. This study examines the relationship between the blue economy approach and the Sustainable Development Goals and evaluates Türkiye’s potential in this field through comparative country cases. The research adopts a qualitative design based on document analysis and comparative case study methods. In this context, reports of international organizations, policy documents, and academic studies were analyzed, and the experiences of Portugal, Indonesia, and the Maldives were compared in terms of blue economy strategies, institutional structures, priority sectors, and governance capacities. The findings suggest that the blue economy should not be considered merely as a growth model aimed at expanding marine-based economic activities. Rather, it represents a comprehensive development paradigm that requires ecosystem-based planning, multi-level governance, sustainable resource management, and long-term policy coordination. The comparative analysis further indicates that successful blue economy practices are supported by strong institutional capacity, cross-sectoral integration, and environmental sustainability principles. For Türkiye, sectors such as maritime transport, ports, aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable marine energy, and marine biotechnology present significant opportunities. However, institutional fragmentation, data limitations, pressures on coastal ecosystems, and the absence of a comprehensive national strategy remain key challenges. By addressing the blue economy within an integrated governance and sustainability framework, this study contributes to the literature on sustainable maritime development.

Development of the Culture-Based Batik Trusmi Industrial Zone

Ronan Afrizal Hadi, Khaerudin Imawan, Leni Rohida — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Batik Trusmi Industrial Area is a culture-based creative economy center in Cirebon Regency which is not only known as a producer but also as a cultural tourism destination. The purpose of this study is to explain the role of culture-based tourism communication in conservation and development in the Batik Trusmi Area, as well as identifying obstacles in developing the area in relation to its conservation and the role of the local communities and tourists in sustaining the area. In order to achieve this objective, the author utilizes a qualitative research design with the descriptive approach which includes in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation among batik artisans, managers of batik shops, tourists, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The findings reveal that culture-based tourism communication plays an essential role in the delivery of the values, meanings, and philosophy of batik to tourists via direct communication and culture education. Nevertheless, there are some obstacles in developing the area such as artisan regeneration, printed batik competition, and the lack of supporting facilities. The involvement of the local communities and tourists play important roles in building the area identity as a sustainable cultural tourism destination.

The Effect of Product Reviews and Endorsements by Beauty Influencers on Skincare Purchase Intention (Study on Students of Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra)

Nadia Ika Purnama, Hanny Alvi Sahrina Hrp, Muhammad Andi Prayogi — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the effect of product reviews and beauty influencer endorsements on skincare purchase intention among students of Muhammadiyah University of North Sumatra. The problem in this study is that consumer purchase intention toward skincare products is still not optimal despite the increasing number of product reviews and influencer endorsements on social media platforms. Product reviews are often perceived as repetitive, overly promotional, and lacking authenticity, while endorsements by beauty influencers are sometimes considered less credible due to excessive commercial motives. This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of product reviews and beauty influencer endorsements on purchase intention both partially and simultaneously. This research uses a quantitative associative approach. The sampling technique applies the Lemeshow formula with a total sample of 100 respondents. Data were collected using questionnaires with a Likert scale. Data analysis techniques include validity tests, reliability tests, classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression analysis, t-tests, F-tests, and coefficient of determination tests using SPSS. The results show that product reviews have a positive and significant effect on purchase intention, endorsements also have a positive and significant effect on purchase intention, and both variables simultaneously have a positive and significant effect on purchase intention. The Adjusted R Square value of 0.405 indicates that 40.5% of purchase intention is explained by product reviews and endorsements, while the remaining 59.5% is influenced by other variables outside this study.

Analysis the Influence of Topic Types and Posting Days on User Engagement: A Case Study of the XYZ Instagram Account

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines how content type and posting day affect user engagement on the XYZ Instagram account. As technology advances, traditional media outlets increasingly rely on social platforms to reach broader audiences. Understanding engagement factors is crucial for effective digital communication strategies. While digital transformation has pushed traditional media toward social platforms, identifying consistent content-market fit remains a challenge. Using a quantitative approach, this research analyzed 190 posts categorized by topic informative, entertainment, political and posting day Monday to Friday using Kruskal-Wallis tests. The research analyzed posts from the XYZ account to identify patterns and significant relationships. Results reveal content type significantly affects only view counts, while posting day impacts only likes. The combination of both factors shows more substantial influence, affecting likes, views, and average watch time. However, since most engagement indicators showed no significant differences across conditions, content type and posting day don't consistently predict user interaction levels. The findings reveal that while individual factors, content type and posting day show limited significance on their own, their interaction effect is statistically significant for likes, views, and average watch time. This suggests that engagement is not driven by content or timing in isolation, but by the strategic synchronization of what is posted and when. While certain combinations of content and timing may boost specific engagement metrics, the research suggests other factors may play more decisive roles in determining overall social media performance and audience connection.