Public Awareness of Eco-Tourism Conservation in Air Manis Beach Padang

Abstract

This research aims to explore public awareness of ecotourism conservation including: (1) artificial environment, (2) natural environment, and (3) socio-cultural environment. Public awareness of maintaining tourism environment is a must, for instance, the orderliness, cleanness, and beauty for a sustainable environment. This research was conducted in Air Manis Beach Padang. This research is qualitative with a case study approach. Several procedures carried out in this research: (1) Formulation of the problem of the research, (2) Needs analysis, (3) Data collection and analysis of empirical findings, and (4) Report of the findings. The technique of data collection was implemented by interviews with the subjects and informants of the research. To complete the data, the observation was conducted to the local community. Data validation was examined through triangulation using the researcher's participation if a lack of data. Triangulation of sources was conducted to the parties that understand the community participation for the sustainable environment in Air Manis Beach. Subjects and informants who participated in this research were determined in purposive sampling, involving tourism officers, environment agents, education experts, and urban village chief. The findings of the research showed: (a) public awareness of the artificial environment is low, (b) public awareness of the natural environment is adequate, and (c) public awareness of the cultural environment is low.