Potential of Ecotourism in Open Space of Kahayan Riverside of Palangka Raya City

Abstract

The Kahayan River is one of the largest rivers in Central Kalimantan and has attracted both domestic and foreign tourists. The typical life and settlements alongthe Kahayan River provided a unique panorama that could be developed into ecotourism and enjoyed by visitors and could enhanced tourism development in Central Kalimantan as itis one of the uniqueness of Central Kalimantan Province. The river is the main orientation of the Dayaks, who has the philosophy thatliving water is the source of life. Theyreliedon riverside area as a green space for the area that functions as a buffer zone and open space of the city. The Kahayan Riverside has an important role in the development of city tourism to date. Activities along the Riverside areais one of the economic centres of the city’s complex, which is sufficient and supports the activities of the city dwellers. The purpose of this study was to develop the concept of ecotourism for the Kahayan Riverside as a form of implementation and recommendation for the policy of Palangka Raya City Government. Ecotourism supportsthe sustainability of the community and the future Kahayan River area. The research used a mix-used methodcomprised of severalphases: (1) preparation; (2) implementation; and (3) post-implementation. Field observation and dataexploration were conducted through interviews with selected natives. The analysis provided a tacit knowledge of descriptive interpretative elaboration ofvarious aspects of the local community life. The results produced an ecotourism design, specifically on the arrangement of river tourism areas and promotions of culture, the typical Central Kalimantan handicrafts and the attractiveness of the Kahayan Riverside area. The ecotourism concept provides recommendations to the Palangka Raya City, Central Kalimantan concerning the: (1) physical concept of arrangement; and (2) non-physical concepts, with regard to economic and social analyses of the Kahayan River community. Both concepts supported the development of ecotourism in the Kahayan Riverside area towards sustainable development that is oriented towards the preservation of the Kahayan Riverside area.