Transformasi Pilihan Karier Pemuda Pedesaan: Studi Mantan Perantau Menjadi Pemandu Wisata di Desa Tetebatu

Abstract

The phenomenon of rural youth migration to major cities and overseas has long been a common strategy for seeking better livelihoods. However, the development of the tourism sector across various tourism villages in Indonesia has created promising alternative career opportunities. This study aims to analyze the transformation of career choices among rural youth, particularly former migrants who have transitioned into tour guides in Tetebatu Village, East Lombok. This study employs a qualitative approach using a case study design. The research subjects consist of rural youth who previously migrated for work and have subsequently become tourism practitioners, particularly tour guides.

Based on the research questions, the findings indicate that: (1) the factors encouraging former migrants to change their career choices include the promising economic potential of tourism, with tour guide earnings ranging from IDR 500,000 to IDR 700,000 per trip; a strong desire to contribute to the development of their hometown; the availability of training and mentoring provided by the Youth and Sports Office of West Nusa Tenggara (Dispora NTB), which involved 50 young people; and a shift in community perceptions toward tourism-related occupations. (2) The career transformation process began with the return of young people from migration, followed by cultural adaptation in dealing with local social stigma, and eventually their willingness to capitalize on emerging opportunities through professional training, enabling them to transition into independent tourism practitioners. (3) The impacts of this career transformation include improvements in the economic well-being of individuals and families, the creation of new employment opportunities for dozens of former migrant youth, a significant increase in tourist arrivals, reaching 23,168 visitors in 2025, as well as increased social mobility and improvements in social status within the community.

Overall, rural tourism has demonstrated its capacity to serve as a catalyst for career transformation among rural youth while simultaneously contributing to the disruption of the migration cycle that has historically dominated their livelihood strategies.