Perkembangan Festival Pacu Jalur sebagai Penggerak Wisata Budaya di Kabupaten Kuantan Singingi Tahun 1999-2025

Abstract

The Pacu Jalur Festival is an enduring cultural heritage of the people in Kuantan Singingi Regency that has undergone a substantial historical transformation, evolving from a traditional river-based boat racing tradition into one of the primary drivers for regional cultural tourism development. This study aims to deeply analyze the historical development and dynamic trajectory of the Pacu Jalur Festival as a catalyst for cultural tourism in Kuantan Singingi Regency during the period of 1999–2025. This study employs historical research methods, heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and historiography and utilizes primary sources such as historical newspapers, government archives, regional regulations, and interviews with key stakeholders, complemented by relevant secondary literature. The findings reveal that the Pacu Jalur Festival transitioned from a localized community tradition into a structured annual agenda and subsequently matured into a strategic engine for regional tourism development. This evolution was significantly supported by local government policies, active customary community participation, and expanded tourism promotions, thereby contributing directly to cultural preservation and local economic growth. Therefore, strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration among local governments, customary institutions, and local communities remains essential to maintaining the authenticity of the Pacu Jalur Festival through sustainable tourism management, digital promotional strategies, and community economic empowerment to secure its position as a cultural identity and leading tourist attraction.