Abstract
Geopark or the established UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG), such as Toba Caldera, Batur, or Ciletuh, in fact, will stimulate local economic development, such as through ecotourism, by monetizing the potential of their geo-diversity, bio-diversity, and local culture. It is argued that the ecotourism model that involving the local community has great potential in supporting the success of Geopark’s sustainability. This study contributes as the best practice and guidance in managing the current UGG or developing the next UGG. Hence, this study aims to explore and describe the implementation of Geopark management following a community-based ecotourism model. Three cases study were carried out in UGG Batur, Ciletuh, and Toba Caldera. Some aspects were studied, including key stakeholders and their roles, mapping community involvement, and implementation of the CBE in managing the UGG. Focus group discussions were done with resource persons from five main sectors, namely academics, government, community, entrepreneurs, and the media. The results show that in most cases, the Geopark sites belong to the community or managed by the community, which is considered as a good condition for stimulating the CBE model. Applying the CBE model effectively requires key actors in the community with soft and hard skill competencies. Keywords: Batur Lake Bali, Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu West Java, Community-based ecotourism, Community involvement, Geopark, Toba Caldera North Sumatera.
Highlights
Community-based ecotourism (CBE) has become a significant approach in protecting the environment while promoting tourism [1]
The results show that in most cases, the Geopark sites belong to the community or managed by the community, which is considered as a good condition for stimulating the CBE model
The phenomenon is the implementation of community-based ecotourism in developing Unesco Global Geopark, within the real-life context of Toba Caldera region, including their nature, community, and system
Summary
Community-based ecotourism (CBE) has become a significant approach in protecting the environment while promoting tourism [1]. It is because ecotourism will boost the conservation program of the specific area [2], such as for the geological heritage. Jones and Scheyvens argue that, in developing countries, CBE is a means to reconcile environment conservation (wildlife in Jones's term) with the economic development in a rural area [5,6]. Travel and tourism have a direct contribution of US$2.3 million to economic development and 109 million jobs. The indirect and the induced impact on the global economy was US$7.6 trillion and around 292
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