Batur toward Sustainable Tourism Development - A Community-based Geotourism Case from Bali in Indonesia

Abstract

This paper discusses contemporary issues in developing Batur toward a sustainable geotourism site. It is a result of a qualitative study using a combined method of document review, observation and direct participation as data collecting methods. Natural conservation is one of the vocal points of Batur geotourism, as it uses natural environment as attraction and venue. Tourism brings benefits to people in Batur who used to have farming as the only major occupation; since tourism was introduced in this area people’s profession diversified. In general, the benefits of tourism reasonably reinforce a better living in Batur, these such as better economic, infrastructure and landscaping; more appreciation and attention to natural environment and culture; broader social interaction and wider perspective and horizon of the people. Nonetheless, more efforts need to be exerted for better tourism development results. Currently, Batur tourism management operates in fractions, to maximize the benefits from tourism, a systematic and integrated management needs to be devised with the collaboration of stakeholders that enables the provision of quality tourism products and services, an integrated promotion, the availability of tourism facilities and infrastructure that harmoniously coexist with nature, the establishment of network, and the application of regulations that support sustainable tourism.