Implementation of Tourism Potential in Bengkalis Regency from an Islamic Economics Perspective

Tourism in Bengkalis Regency has significant potential to drive regional economic growth through the development of natural, cultural, and marine tourism. This study aims to analyze the implementation of tourism potential in Bengkalis Regency from an Islamic economics perspective. The research adopts a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected through observation, interviews, documentation, and library research. Primary data were obtained from local communities and tourism stakeholders, while secondary data were sourced from relevant government institutions and official regional publications. The findings indicate that tourism development in Bengkalis Regency is generally aligned with the principles of Islamic economics, particularly in terms of sustainable utilization of natural resources (hifz al-bi’ah), empowerment of the local economy (maslahah), and preservation of Malay cultural values imbued with Islamic principles. However, the implementation of sharia-based tourism has not yet been fully optimized due to infrastructural limitations, insufficient understanding of halal tourism standards among business actors, and the lack of comprehensive regulations and halal certification. This study concludes that sharia-oriented tourism holds considerable potential to enhance community welfare and increase local government revenue (PAD) in Bengkalis Regency if managed in an integrated and sustainable manner in accordance with Islamic economic principles. Therefore, strengthening policy frameworks, improving human resource capacity, and fostering synergy among government, business actors, and local communities are essential to support the development of halal tourism in Bengkalis Regency.