Empowerment Strategies for the Community in the Mangrove Ecotourism Area through Creativity in Sei Nagalawan Village, Serdang Bedagai Regency, Indonesia

This research aims to explore the potential and empowerment of the community through creative economy in the ecotourism area of Sei Nagalawan Village, Serdang Bedagai Regency. By employing a triangulation data approach, various perspectives were obtained, including insights from experts in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Sumatera Utara. The ecotourism area offers natural attractions like mangroves, unique processed products, and the phenomenon of shifting sands. The central role in community empowerment is held by the Mangrove Conservation Group of Muara Baimbai. Through SWOT analysis, the study identified several influencing factors, such as group institution support, limited government assistance, and underutilization of technology in marketing. The research findings indicate that ecotourism has a positive impact on the local economy and community well-being, but there are still obstacles to overcome. The significance of this research lies in providing support for ecotourism management through empowerment strategies, including technological utilization, expanding partnership networks, and enhancing human resource competencies. The conclusion emphasizes the need for greater government support, effective technology utilization, and a holistic approach to environmental conservation and community empowerment for sustainable development in the ecotourism area.