Pengaruh Inflasi dan Suku Bunga terhadap Kunjungan Wisatawan Mancanegara di Sumatera Utara Tahun 2022–2024

Abstract

The tourism sector is one of the strategic sectors that makes a significant contribution to both regional and national economic growth. This study aims to analyze the effect of inflation and interest rates on the number of international tourist arrivals in North Sumatra during the period 2022–2024. The approach used in this research is a quantitative approach with multiple linear regression analysis methods. The data used were obtained from the Central Bureau of Statistics (Badan Pusat Statistik/BPS) and Bank Indonesia as official institutions providing economic and financial data. The results of the study show that inflation has a negative and significant effect on the number of international tourist arrivals. This occurs because the increase in the prices of tourism goods and services raises travel costs, thereby reducing foreign tourists’ interest in visiting. Meanwhile, interest rates have a positive and significant effect on the number of international tourist arrivals. Simultaneously, inflation and interest rates are proven to have a significant influence on the development of the tourism sector in North Sumatra. Therefore, macroeconomic stability is required, particularly in controlling inflation and interest rate policies, as well as improving tourism facilities and service quality to support the increase in international tourist arrivals to the region.