Integration of conservation and economic development in Gunung Leuser National Park

Abstract

Sumatran Elephant has economic benefits as an ecotourism attraction. The most appropriate tourism management is making the tour package attractive, safe, and sustainable. The increasing number of visitors to natural destinations has a significant impact. Feasibility studies can be used to consider making a decision, either rejecting, accepting, retaining, and stopping the effort. Therefore, a financial feasibility analysis is required to see the feasibility of using Sumatran elephants as an ecotourism package. The study was conducted for four months (November 2019 to February 2020) to determine the level of financial feasibility and financial benefits to Sumatran elephant people as a tour package in Tangkahan Ecotourism Area, Gunung Leuser National Park. Respondents were the actors in ecotourism management, including community institutions (LPT), 2 NGOs (CRU and VESSWIC), and the national park authority (GLNP). Data was collected by interviewing the actors. Research methods used descriptive analysis and financial analysis with NPV, BCR, and IRR parameters. The results show the interest rate of 6.56%, obtained NPV value of IR 181,021,329,- BCR of 3.806, and IRR of 117.3%. It means that this tourism package is financially worthy of being continued and developed. The calculation of the financial benefits of Sumatran elephant use as community-based ecotourism gave the revenue of IR 697,214,755,-.