More Attractive More Identified: Distinctiveness in Embedding Place Identity

Due to the rapid globalization growth, a tourism environment sets standardization to compete to be more attractive. Hence, it requires the peculiarity of tourism objects which indicates place identity. This research aims to examine distinctiveness as one of place identity principle. It focuses on natural environment in Karo Regency, North Sumatera, Indonesia. A mixed-use method was conducted by investigating the variables, i.e. landmark, uniqueness, particular character, and different perception. The result shows that the attractiveness of natural scenery, culture, and traditional buildings embed the distinctivenessprinciplewhile uniqueness and particular character require appropriate strategies in enhancing and supporting natural-based tourism.