Community leader perspectives on the utilization of seagrass ecosystem for marine tourism in Toli-toli, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Seagrass ecosystem and dugongs (Dugong dugon) are significant features of the northern coastal areas of Toli-toli and its adjacent small islands. Local communities are familiar with the dugongs for some reasons, including activities threatening its population. Therefore, Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project-Indonesia initiated conservation of the seagrass ecosystem and the dugongs in Toli-toli. Local communities, with supports from local governments, are keen to develop tourism to gain economic benefit from the conservation. Accordingly, the project allowed some local leaders an opportunity to learn from the Seribu Islands, an extraordinary location of marine tourism. This paper describes their learning process and immediate responses expressing perspectives on how their tourism should be developed. After being introduced to some key features of Seribu Island, local concerns, problem solutions, and discussed a concept of sustainable tourism in a small workshop, they concluded the tourism objects in their home are much better. They also were confident with the importance of conservation and aware of some negative impacts of tourism. The outcomes of this visit should be carefully noted by anyone who wants to involve in the tourism development that uses Toli-toli’s nature and culture as objects.