Tourism development is an important aspect of local and national economic growth. Its significant impact has led the government to always strive for its development as a steady source of income for the country. One of the strategies the government implements for tourism development is the designation of National Strategic Tourism Areas with 10 priority areas to be developed, one of which is the Lake Toba area. This article discusses the strategic role of planning in natural tourism development in Simalungun Regency, focusing on Simalungun Regency, Lake Toba. This study aims to analyze the importance of strategic planning in tourism development and provide strategic recommendations for Simalungun Regency. The research methods used include qualitative descriptive analysis and SWOT analysis. These analyses help identify potential, strengths, weaknesses, and challenges in developing tourism in that region. The research findings highlight the importance of synergy between institutions, stakeholders, and businesses in enhancing tourism promotion, environmental education campaigns, optimization of transportation infrastructure, and utilization of digital technology for promotion, with the implementation potentially becoming a competitive sustainable tourist destination.