Ride: Journal of Cultural Tourism and Religious Studies

THE REPRESENTATION OF MERU IN BALI’S TOURISM VISUAL BRANDING: SYMBOLISM, IDENTITY, AND COMMODIFICATION

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Meru is a dominant visual element in tourism branding, particularly in culturally based destinations such as Bali. This study aims to analyze how the form of Meru is represented in tourism visual branding and how this symbol contributes to shaping the identity of tourism destinations. Using a qualitative research approach that integrates visual analysis and semiotic studies, this research explores the symbolic meaning of Meru across various tourism promotional materials, including posters, brochures, social media, and official websites. Additionally, the study examines the commodification of spirituality, specifically how the use of Meru in Bali’s tourism branding can lead to the reduction of its religious significance, transforming it into a mere commercial icon. The findings indicate that Meru in tourism branding not only represents architectural beauty and cultural exoticism but also constructs a spiritual image that appeals to global tourists. However, the exploitation of this cultural symbol generates ambiguity among local communities, who perceive that the use of Meru in tourism promotion may shift its sacred value into a mere commercial attraction. Therefore, a balanced branding strategy is necessary to uphold cultural values while maintaining tourism appeal.

MANAGEMENT OF PANGLUKATAN BEJI SELATI AS A SPIRITUAL TOURISM ATTRACTION IN BUNUTIN TRADITIONAL VILLAGE, BANGLI DISTRICT

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Panglukatan Beji Selati is one of the spiritual tourism attractions located in Bunutin Traditional Village, Bangli District, Bangli Regency. This place is known as a melukat and metamba location that has spiritual value and traditional medicine through the use of red soil. Its existence offers tranquility and spiritual experience in a sacred natural atmosphere. However, the management of this tourist attraction is still not optimal in terms of facilities, promotion, and management participation. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential of Panglukatan Beji Selati and its management and implications as a spiritual tourism attraction. This study uses a qualitative descriptive analysis method with the theory of 6A tourism components, tourism management theory, and tourism impact theory. Data were obtained through observation, interviews, literature studies, and documentation.

The results of the study indicate that Panglukatan Beji Selati has the potential as a spiritual tourism attraction that includes attractions, activities, accessibility, facilities, additional services, and tour packages. Management is carried out independently by the Banjar Adat Selati community, Bunutin Traditional Village, but has not been maximized due to limited human resources and inadequate facilities.

THE IMPACT OF MANAGING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF PURA PUSEH BATUAN AS A TOURIST ATTRACTION ON THE BATUAN VILLAGE COMMUNITY

Praptiningsih, Anak Agung Istri Wahyu Bira Dewi, I Putu Agus Pramartha Wijaya — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Pura Puseh Batuan is a tourist attraction (DTW) that contains a National Cultural Heritage site. The Cultural Heritage of Pura Puseh Batuan is visited by both domestic and international tourists due to its architectural beauty, historical heritage, and the cultural aspects present in the community of Batuan Village. As a tourist attraction managed by the community through Batuan Customary Village, this research focuses on the impact of its management on the Batuan Customary Village community. This is a qualitative research, and data for this study were collected through observation, interviews, and literature review. Informants were selected using purposive sampling technique. The research results indicate that the management of the Cultural Heritage of Pura Puseh Batuan as a tourist attraction has a positive impact on the Batuan Village community, particularly in terms of the economy, as it can improve the livelihood of the local residents. Although the local community interacts directly with tourists, it does not have a negative influence on the preservation of the cultural values held by the Batuan Village community, as the local people highly value their cultural heritage

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRI HITA KARANA CONCEPT IN THE MAPEED TRADITION AS HERITAGE TOURISM IN PAKRAMAN SUKAWATI VILLAGE, GIANYAR DISTRICT

I Putu Aditya Prawira Putra — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This article aims to explore the implementation of the Tri Hita Karana concept in the Mapeed tradition as part of the development of cultural heritage tourism in Pakraman Sukawati Village, Gianyar Regency. Tri Hita Karana, which includes the harmonious relationship between humans and God, humans and fellow humans, and humans and nature, is the basis for implementing the Mapeed tradition. Mapeed is a Balinese tradition of mutual cooperation to care for and clean temples as a form of respect for God, each other and the environment. This research identifies how the Tri Hita Karana principle is applied in Mapeed and its impact on cultural sustainability and the development of cultural heritage-based tourism. The research results show that the implementation of Mapeed, which is based on Tri Hita Karana, not only strengthens social relations between residents, but also plays an important role in preserving Balinese cultural values. On the other hand, Mapeed also has the potential to become a major attraction in the development of cultural heritage tourism in Pakraman Sukawati Village, by attracting tourists who are interested in authentic cultural experiences. This article concludes that Mapeed, which integrates Tri Hita Karana, can be an effective strategy in strengthening sustainable tourism, providing economic and social benefits for local communities, as well as preserving culture and the environment

THE ROLE OF PERCIVED FLOW AS A MEDIATION IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WEBSITE QUALITY AND ONLINE BUYING INTEREST IN TRAVEL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN MALANG CITY

Stella Alvianna, Syarif Hidayatullah — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0100

Malang City, as one of the major cities in East Java, has high market potential for the use of online transportation services (online travel). The development of digital technology has driven the increase in the use of online travel booking platforms, where website quality is an important factor in shaping user perceptions and purchasing intentions. Previous research has shown that website quality has a significant effect on perceived flow and user purchasing intentions. Based on these findings, this study aims to analyze the influence of website quality dimensions—including usability, functionality, and security and privacy—on perceived flow and online purchasing intentions among users of travel transportation services in Malang City, and to examine the mediating role of perceived flow in this relationship. This study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional method. A total of 33 respondents who used online travel transportation services in Malang City were sampled. Data were collected through a Likert scale questionnaire (1–5) to measure website quality, perceived flow, and online purchasing intentions. Analysis was conducted using SPSS, including validity and reliability tests, descriptive analysis, correlation, multiple linear regression, and mediation tests using the Baron & Kenny and Sobel tests. The results showed that website functionality was the most dominant factor that significantly influenced perceived flow and online purchasing intentions. Conversely, website usability, security, and privacy had positive but insignificant effects. Furthermore, perceived flow did not act as a significant mediator. Overall, improving website functionality is a top priority in strengthening the digitalization strategy for online travel services in Malang City