Padang Beach’s Image as a City Tourism Icon: An Analysis of Security Management and Tourist Experience

Padang Beach is a premier tourist destination that plays a strategic role in shaping Padang City's image as a tourism hub. Its natural beauty and urban location make it highly attractive to tourists. However, its status as a tourism icon depends not only on natural appeal but also on the quality of security management and the experiences tourists have while visiting the area. This study aims to analyze security management at Padang Beach and identify tourist experiences in relation to the beach's image as a tourism icon for Padang City. A qualitative approach using a case study method was employed. Data were gathered through field observations, in-depth interviews with tourists, government officials or managers, security personnel, business operators, and local residents, as well as through documentation. Data analysis involved condensation, presentation, and conclusion drawing, while data validity was verified through source and technique triangulation. The study focuses on tourist safety, parking management, potential disturbances such as thuggery and street busking, food price transparency, area comfort, and the government's response to tourist-related issues. The findings indicate a strong link between the quality of security management and tourists' experiences and perceptions of Padang Beach. Various issues regarding public order, safety, service quality, and the management of informal activities risk creating a gap between the beach's image as a tourism icon and the actual tourist experience. Therefore, a more integrated, responsive, transparent, and tourist-protection-oriented management approach is required to ensure that Padang Beach's image as a tourism icon is not merely symbolic but is also reflected in a safe, comfortable, and memorable visitor experience.