Search

Background: This study was motivated by the failure to use historic buildings, plantations heritage, and modernization of Siantar. The problem is focused on the optimization of historic buildings, icons for urban tourism destinations. The study contribution is useful for the protection, utilization, and development of cultural heritage buildings into a tourist destination in urban areas. More specifically, the study aims to explore and discuss the optimization of urban tourism to support economic and territorial growth. Methods: The study was carried out qualitatively with a pragmatic methodological approach according to the tourism paradigm. The study departs from the colonial archives: photographs, maps, notes, and field research focused on the identification, significance, and contribution to urban history. The data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. Raw information was reduced and coded according to the relevance of the study. Data are combined into categories and themes reflecting descriptive analysis, classification, and interpretation. Data validation was done through triangulation strategies, member checking, rich descriptions, and saturation. Results:The Historic Tours of Siantar and Its Surroundings, the findings of this study were carried out in three stages; development based on national consensus in law, utilization into public space, appreciation for managers, and management incentives, and determining urban tourism designs. Conclusions: Utilization of cultural heritage buildings for urban tourism destinations reflects the urban with plantation characteristics, portraits of cities in the past, packed into urban tourism experiences.