Interpretasi Wisata Heritage untuk Meningkatkan Kemawasan Pelestarian Kotagede Melalui Walking Tour

Abstract

Heritage tourism based on walking tours plays an important role in bridging the goal of preserving cultural heritage sites with public appreciation, but studies on the construction of interpretive narratives at small-scale heritage destinations like Kotagede are still limited. This research aims to analyze how walking tour guides in Kotagede construct interpretive narratives connected to cultural meanings, relevance, and values for tourists, as well as how the interpretation at each visit point reflects the principles of interpretation for conservation. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with a single case study design. Primary data were collected thru participatory observation on walking tours at seven heritage visit points in Kotagede, supplemented with photographic documentation and field notes, and then analyzed using the interpretive principles framework from Tilden (1977), Beck & Cable (2011), Ham (2013), and the UNESCO/ICOMOS guidelines. The research results show that local tour guides construct interpretive narratives thru a personal storytelling approach that combines historical facts, local cultural values, and contemporary issues such as gentrification, thereby creating a bridge of meaning between the past and the present. Interpretations at the seven visit points consistently reflect the principle of "meaning over information," relevance to visitor experiences, emotional connections, and the integration of local and universal values thru thematic approaches, such as the themes of continuity of power and sacredness, as well as architectural identity in social transformation. This study also found that the characteristics of guides as local residents, who possess emotional investment, a sense of ownership, and deep knowledge of the area, are key factors that enhance the effectiveness of interpretation and the conservation awareness of tourists. In conclusion, the construction of interpretive narratives by local tour guides in Kotagede successfully transformed passive tourist observations into an active awareness of the importance of preservation, while also positioning local guides as living witnesses and cultural ambassadors bridging local values with universal preservation standards. These findings provide practical contributions to the development of heritage interpretation strategies in similar community-based heritage areas.