Mediation Analysis of Technology Empowerment on the Relationship Between Local Wisdom-Based Non-Formal Education and Tourism Education Accessibility

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of non-formal education (NFE) based on local wisdom, with technology empowerment as a mediating variable, to the accessibility of tourism education. The study was motivated by the need to facilitate tourism learning without restrictions, harnessing the potential of non-formal education and the richness of local culture. The research population consisted of 141 managers of the Community Learning Center (CLC) in Banyuwangi, with a sample of 59 people determined using the Slovin formula and the disproportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected through questionnaires and institutional records, with instruments proven to be valid and reliable through product-moment correlation tests and Cronbach's Alpha. Path analysis is used to test hypotheses. The results showed that the NFE variable based on local wisdom (X) partially had a significant effect on the accessibility of tourism education (Y), with a t-count value of 7.745 (significance 0.000). The technology empowerment variable (Z) also partially had a significant effect on the accessibility of tourism education (Y), with a t-count value of 6.829 (significance 0.000). Simultaneously, NFE based on local wisdom (X) and technology empowerment (Z) had a significant influence on the accessibility of tourism education (Y), with an F-count value of 29.138 (significance 0.000). It can be concluded that NFE based on local wisdom (X) has a significant influence on the accessibility of tourism education (Y) through the technology empowerment variable (Z). These findings underscore the crucial role of non-formal education and the use of technology in expanding tourism learning access relevant to the local context.