Ecotourism Activities Research Articles

ISPARTA İLİ EKOTURİZM ROTALARI VE PESTE ANALİZİ İLE İNCELENMESİ

Ecotourism is a type of tourism whose main motivation is to protect the integrity of the ecosystem with a responsible tourism scientist and should be handled under the umbrella of sustainability. In ecotourism, natural areas are accepted as the home of all of us, with the principles of protecting nature and not destroying nature. In addition, ecotourism is envisaged as a tool for the protection of natural areas and sustainable development. Isparta province is a rich destination in terms of ecotourism activities with its unspoiled nature and rich ecology. Various studies have been carried out on ecotourism in the region and projects related to ecotourism are supported. In the study, firstly, the nature-based ecotourism routes in the destination were discussed, and a focus group interview was conducted to determine the economic, political, socio-cultural, technological and ecological dimensions of ecotourism in the destination with PESTE analysis, which is a strategic and external environment analysis. The opportunities and threats of ecotourism activities in the destination for the region were examined. It has been concluded that strategic ecotourism planning studies should be carried out and these plans should be maintained in a sustainable way in Isparta province, which is a destination rich in nature-based ecotourism routes. It has been concluded that the infrastructure facilities of ecotourism routes should be improved, technological developments should be benefited and environmental destruction on these routes should be prevented. It is thought that the study will contribute to the field of tourism and ecotourism activities and projects to be carried out in the region.

Identification and prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) at Petungkriyono Forest, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Kharismawan MYK, Maula I, Astuti P, Setyawan A. 2022. Identification and prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) at Petungkriyono Forest, Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 4501-4509. Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) are arboreal primates found at Petungkriyono Forest, Central Java, Indonesia. An increase in ecotourism activity in Petungkriyono Forest affected wildlife behavior and forest landscape along the road. Canopy connections separated by the main road is essential for both of these primates They were spotted foraging food and moved across the separated habitat using available canopy. Based on their activity and habitat along the main road, this research is conducted to identify and count the prevalance of soil-transmitted helminth eggs in their gastrointestinal through their feces. A total of 72 Javan gibbon and 46 Javan langur fecal samples were collected under 10% formalin preservation. Fecal samples were examined using the mini-FLOTAC method for Javan gibbon and the flotation method for Javan langur. The results indicate three orders, including Enoplida, Strongylida, and Rhabditida, were found and the prevalence of helminthiasis is 31.94% for Javan gibbon and 47.82% for Javan langur. Eventhough both of these primates helminthiasis prevalance is considered to be low, higher prevalance in Javan langur was caused by its behavior to be less arboreal than Javan gibbon.

Marketing Strategy and Willingness to Pay for Sport Tourism in the Kinmen Marathon Event

In this study, we applied an evaluation model of multiple attributes of sport-based tourism to the marketing strategy for a marathon event in Kinmen (Taiwan) based on a choice experiment methodology. We found that the participants appreciated the experience of authentic cuisine and the availability of marathon souvenirs. They also preferred engaging in ecotourism activities and supporting the establishment of a sport development fund. We applied market segmentation by dividing the participants into two groups. Those in the first group were primarily younger, had higher incomes, and had participated previously in the Kinmen Marathon. Those in the second group primarily had lower incomes, were over 40 years old, and were participating in the Kinmen Marathon for the first time. Both groups preferred entertainment, educational, and esthetic experiences, but only the first group desired an escapist experience. We propose three marketing strategies for sport tourism experiences as a reference for future practice in Kinmen sport tourism.

Immersive reflections: the new diver’s changing conceptualization of the marine environment

ABSTRACT Scuba diving is a popular recreational and ecotourism activity. Dive certification organizations, tdive operators, and resorts are embracing marine environmental awareness and action. This study explores how 81new scuba dive students create meaning of their relationship to the marine environment and how that might be shaped by their dive experiences. Emerging divers possess: (a) positive Nature Relatedness and marine Place-Attachment that did not significantly change through the dive experience, and (b) differences in how they conceptualized the marine environment throughout the dive training and dive experience. New dive students draw upon social constructs to embed their understanding of the marine environment, transforming it from a physical space to an oceanscape imbued with meaning. These findings can inform dive certification organizations and their partner dive operators and resorts about how to further promote marine conservation through understanding that the cognitive impact of learning to dive goes beyond attaining a certification card.

The analysis of main factors to support the regional economic recovery using mangrove rehabilitation activity in Jakarta

The activity of mangrove rehabilitation in Angke Kapuk, North Jakarta is the ecosystem recovery activities to support the sustainability of mangrove resources to provide economic opportunities for coastal community. This study aimed to determine the main factors and the important variables of economic recovery through mangrove rehabilitation activities and the relationship between variables using the MICMAC (matrix of cross impact multiplications applied to a classification) analysis. The results of the study showed that key variables or driving variables (Influence Variables) were policy factors which high influence for the economic recovery. The Relay Variables consistedf mangrove rehabilitation activity which divided into potential of seeding, planting, counseling, and training. The Dependence Variables consisted economic factors such as the income of ecotourism activity, fisherman, angler, traders, the group of mangrove business, forest farmer group, the price and selling potency of mangrove seedling, price and income of mangrove products. And Autonomous Variables consisted business investors and the price of fish selling.

Analysis of the Suitability and Supporting Capacity of Mangrove Ecotourism in Yenelo Lake, Sagea Village, North Weda District, Central Halmahera Regency

The mangrove area around Lake Yonelo is a unique and potential area, but the area tends to be threatened by increasing mining activities in the area. Management of the mangrove area around Lake Yenelo as an ecotourism area is an alternative form as an innovative effort to maintain environmental functions as a provider of environmental services in order to remain sustainable. The purpose of this study was to determine the suitability of the tourist area and the carrying capacity of the area as well as the types of activities in the mangrove ecotourism area. The method used is a survey method, using the analysis of the tourism suitability index (IKW) and the carrying capacity of the area (DDK). The results of the analysis of the suitability index of the Yenelo Lake area are classified as very suitable for developing mangrove ecotourism activities, while the results of the analysis of the carrying capacity of the area are 412 people/day with the carrying capacity of the utilization of 42 people/day with the types of activities, namely tracking, picnicking, sitting relaxed, photography and education in along 844 m of mangrove area. The contribution of this type of activity will provide new job opportunities for the community around the mine which will certainly affect the welfare level of the community around the mine in the North Weda District.

Ecotourism Development Potential and Strategy at Regional Conservation Resort (RKW) III Ruteng Nature Park, Golo Loni Village, Ranamese District, East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province

Ruteng Natural Tourism Park (TWA) is rich in natural resources with regional potential in the form of stunning panoramas, and a variety of local cultural wisdom that has the potential as a location for developing tourist destinations. However, the tourism potential of RKW III TWA Ruteng has not been managed properly due to the lack of promotional/marketing activities, then the unavailability of tour packages that are packaged attractively and globally, resulting in low visits, both local and foreign tourists. The aim is to determine the potential and assessment of tourist attractions from each of the existing criteria and to formulate an ecotourism development strategy. The tourism potential assessment uses the 2003 ADO-ODTWA guidelines from the Director General of PHKA and the development strategy uses a SWOT analysis looking at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The results show that the potential offered is the beauty of the panoramic attraction of Lake Ranamese, waterfalls of Lake Ranamese, and various types of beautiful flora and fauna. The results of the calculation of the feasibility of the RKW III TWA Ruteng tourist location based on the assessment criteria, namely attractiveness 81.1%, accessibility 98.3%, accommodation 75%, and facilities and infrastructure 100%. The total number of assessments from these 4 criteria is 89.85%, so it can be concluded that RKW III TWA Ruteng is worthy of being developed as a tourist location. Strategies that need to be carried out are promoting attractively packaged tour packages for students, researchers, family tours, repairing and adding damaged facilities and infrastructure, adding types of tourism activities, providing space for local community involvement in the development of ecotourism activities and designing collaborations with surrounding tourist sites.

Sustainability ecotourism in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten

The Ujung Kulon National Parks (UKNP) is one of the most-strategic national parks in the island of Java with a population of 70% of the population of Indonesia. The national park is also located near the international airport. It closed to the capital city of Indonesia. The park is urban green area for them. However, research on the park is still lacking. Furthermore, the UKNP very rarely encountered or found in the literature. Its' role as the oxygen's producer for the communities. This study analyzed the sustainability of tourism in UKNP. Result analysis indicated the tourism ministry staff is expecting to utilize natural resources for ecotourism activity and local communities' cultural values, and social development as the first and second highest values. Instead, educating local communities to minimizing or mitigate negative environmental impacts, get the least ratings. The study found that UKNP implements the concept, but because of a lack of understanding - empowerment of communities in dealing with and solving problems caused by increasing urbanization and community housing development, as well as enhanced tourists’ awareness. The result indicates the need for further in-depth studies to understand and manage the problem.

The impact of ecotourism on ecosystem functioning along main rivers and tributaries: Implications for management and policy changes

Tourism along river basins benefits both tourists and the economy, but its management necessitates trade-offs between nature-based recreation and ecological functioning. Despite ecosystem services being helpful in managing environmental challenges, there are limited data on the impact of tourism activities on ecosystem functioning across different river types globally. This study investigates how people's recreational activities and values affect ecosystem functioning in high-order rivers. The original field data were collected from 308 transects along the main river and tributaries of the Three Gorges Dam Reservoir in China during 2019. Kruskal-Wallis tests (p < 0.01) revealed that the ecosystem functioning indices were significantly higher than the recreational activity and value indices around the rivers and that ecosystem functioning was highest around tributaries. The critical variables of ecotourism activities and ecosystem functioning identified by principal component analysis accounted for 66.49% of the total variance. The Pearson correlation coefficient strengths among tourism and ecosystem functioning parameters were correlated mildly to moderately, but they exhibited positive and negative connections with a range of r = -0.27 to 0.37 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the distribution patterns of these parameters that were determined by hierarchical cluster analysis were diverse for both the main river and its tributaries. The findings suggest that the development and enforcement of zoning may be necessary for the long-term use of natural resources by all sectors of society. Therefore, it is imperative to raise public awareness and urge governments to adopt more progressive ecotourism policies.

Daya Dukung Kawasan dan Daya Dukung Rill pada Ekowisata Sungai Mudal Banyunganti, Jatimulyo, Kulon Progo, DIY

Mudal River ecotourism is located in the Menoreh Hills which is a geological protected area and the area around the springs in the RTRW of Kulon Progo Regency. Since 2015 the Mudal River has been used as a tourist spot in the ecotourism category. These ecotourism activities have increased significantly from year to year when viewed from secondary visitor data for 2015-2018. The study was conducted to determine the value of the carrying capacity of the area and the real carrying capacity which is an effort to prevent damage that occurs in ecotourism areas in protected areas. The method used in this research is a survey and field method. Data on the parameters of carrying capacity and area and real carrying capacity were obtained from the survey and field activities. Based on the results and data processing carried out, it was found that the carrying capacity of the area (DDK) was 701 people/day (consisting of DDK utilization of playing water 637 people/day, DDK utilization of sitting relaxed 57 people/day, and DDK utilization of camping 7 people/day). Meanwhile, the real carrying capacity value is 1151 people/day. The two results obtained are still far above the existing visitors to the Mudal River Ecotourism so the carrying capacity of ecotourism activities is still in accordance with the value of the carrying capacity of the area and the real carrying capacity.

Kapasitas Individu Masyarakat Desa dalam Pengembangan Ekowisata di Desa Sambirata Kecamatan Cilongok Kabupaten Banyumas

Ecotourism is a form of travel to natural areas carried out with the aim of conserving the environment and preserving the life and welfare of local residents [1]. Sambirata village is located in the highlands with a hilly topography. The natural and socio-cultural conditions of rural communities have their own ecotourism appeal. This study aims to determine the individual capacity of the Sambirata Village community in the development of ecotourism. Individual community is the main element in the development of ecotourism, the quality of individual communities will determine the success of an ecotourism activity. This study uses a survey method by taking data directly on samples in the field using a questionnaire sheet, to 23 respondents with random sampling techniques in the community around the Bukit Gondang ecotourism area (RT 01 RW 05). The data needed in this study include knowledge and understanding of ecotourism principles, management of tourist attractions, pioneering ecotourism potential, services to tourists and the level of community education. Data analysis used quantitative and qualitative descriptive. The results of this study indicate that the individual capacity of the Sambirata village community in developing ecotourism is low with a percentage of 69.57%. With minimal knowledge and community participation in ecotourism development.

ECOLOGICAL TOURISM AS A PRIORITY AREA OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN UKRAINE: CURRENT CHALLENGES

The article analyzes the problems of ecological tourism development in Ukraine and ways to solve them. The positive and negative consequences of the development of ecological tourism are studied and the prospects for the development of ecological tourism in Ukraine are outlined. In particular, it was emphasized that the aggravation of environmental problems of tourism requires the search for new vectors of development. One of them is the application in tourism of the basic principles of the concept of sustainable development, which meets the needs of today and does not endanger the needs of future generations. The sustainable development strategy focuses on realizing the two most important goals. First of all, efficient and rational use of resources and their potential, as well as the optimal solution to regional development issues. These two goals can be achieved through the development of ecological tourism, as it will be possible to preserve the unique beauty of natural areas, reduce anthropogenic pressure on the environment, improve the welfare of local people, and more. Ukraine has sufficient ecotourism resources, the use of which, along with the growing demand for tourism services, will naturally lead to the intensification of infrastructure development and territorial organization of ecotourism activities. The concept of ecotourism emphasizes the need to preserve natural and cultural heritage, and biodiversity and improve the ecological, social, and economic status of the regions visited by ecotourists. Ecological tourism should become a model for reorganization, and greening of the entire tourism industry. Sustainable ecologically balanced tourism should become not only a philosophy but also a leading management strategy for tourism development. In recent years, the sphere of tourism in Ukraine has been going through difficult times. The Covid-19 pandemic has become a challenge for the tourism industry, making domestic travel, including ecotourism, more prevalent in Ukraine. The next terrible event for Ukraine was the war. Several hundred crimes against the environment prohibited by the Geneva Convention as a result of Russian aggression have been recorded since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops into the country. After our victory, in the conditions of growing needs of the population in recreation and tourism, extensive and intensive interaction of society and nature, there is a well-founded need for systematic use of natural resources through the use of appropriate mechanisms of sustainable nature, one of which is ecologically oriented tourism. aimed at implementing the conceptual foundations of sustainable development.

The potential of frogging as an ecotourism product for South African National Parks

Amid global biodiversity loss, it is important to find practical tools and solutions in order to protect biodiversity. Ecotourism is the fastest-growing sector of the international travel industry and can be a powerful conservation tool that encourages people to protect the natural environment. Traditionally, frogs have not generated much attention among ecotourists, partly because they are easily overshadowed by other more charismatic species or habitat attractions. With almost a third of the nearly 7000 known amphibian species listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), their protection is crucial. Frogging is a well-known term within the frog conservation society, describing the activity of searching for frogs in the wild. This can be combined with other ecotourism activities to attract tourists and create an interest in the conservation of frogs while having fun at the same time. The aim was to determine the ecotourism potential of frogs in South Africa, primarily by distributing questionnaires to tourists to retrieve information on whether they would be interested in participating in frog-related ecotourism activities within the South African National Parks. For this research, a quantitative research approach was followed, namely non-probability sampling, to which convenience sampling was applied. An online survey (questionnaire) was designed to collect the data for the research. The survey outcome was satisfactory, as potential tourists indicated that they would like to participate in frog-related activities. The project offers the opportunity to conserve frogs, educate tourists, and create job opportunities within the local communities. It will also create a new tourism product for the South African National Parks.Conservation implications: The contribution of this research to conservation lies in the opportunity to benefit frog conservation through ecotourism.

Conceptual Design of Ecotourism Products Proposal at Mangrove Forest in Ketam Island, Malaysia

Mangrove offers a unique and functional characteristic that proves to be beneficial to its surrounding ecosystem. It also benefited the local communities positively in the socio-economic growth via the increase in ecotourism product varieties. Ecotourism activities must not further deteriorate, but, be able to protect and preserve the mangrove ecosystem via a deliberate mangrove ecosystem management. In the effort to conserve mangrove ecosystem, increase public awareness and promote socio-economic growth, this study therefore seeks to highlight the existing ecotourism product (physical products, activities, facilities and services) at Ketam Island Mangrove Forest, Selangor, Malaysia and proposed ecotourism product suitable to feature mangrove forest. With sustainable development, a conceptual design is proposed for the future development of ecotourism research center and its urban enclave at the location, supplementing suitable ecotourism product to the existing product. A site survey of the location is conducted to observe the mangrove ecosystem. Further information is collected from supporting existing publications. Computer software such as AutoCAD and Adobe Photoshop are used to draw out the 2-Dimensional, 3-Dimensional, and render the proposed design to visual representations. Significantly, the supplementary ecotourism product conserves the mangrove ecosystem, promote socio-economic growth and benefit all stakeholders; visitors, local community.

Strategi Pengelolaan Kawasan Ekowisata Mangrove Berkelanjutan Di Taman Wisata Alam Teluk Yotefa Kota Jayapura.

The concept of environmental management based on sustainability ecotourism is starting to be seen as important given the large amount of environmental damage. Until now the mangrove forest in Yotefa Jayapura Bay Nature Park has not been managed properly as an ecotourism destination, therefore a Mangrove Ecotourism Area Management Strategy is needed in Yotefa Jayapura Bay Nature Park. This study aims to analyze the management strategy for the mangrove ecotourism area in Hamadi Beach, Kota Jayapura using a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis and SWOT analysis. The results of the study show that based on observations through surveys, it is known that Mangrove forests, especially around the Yotefa Bay Nature Park, Jayapura. There are 4 strategies in managing the mangrove ecotourism area management strategy at Hamadi Beach, Jayapura City, namely: 1. Development of community-based ecotourism with support government through related agencies, 2. Providing comfortable and safe facilities and infrastructure and improving the arrangement of facilities that are lacking, 3. Increasing community participation in various activities related to mangrove forests and tourism, 4. Outreach to ecotourism activities for the community.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND ECOTOURISM: THE CASE OF SÍTIO FUNDÃO IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CRATO- CE

The Environmental Education and Ecotourism activities are structured based on the sustainable use of space, the strengthening of local communities, and sustainable economic and cultural practices. This study aims to analyze the Environmental Education and Ecotourism strategies developed in the Sítio Fundão State Park in the municipality of Crato, Ceará. It also aims to contribute by giving examples of actions that can be structured in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and can be applied to the conservation of other protected areas. The qualitative research used bibliographic research, photographic record,s and interviews with the environmental educator of the Sítio Fundão Park to identify the activities developed in the Park and the strategies used that relate to Environmental Education and Ecotourism. It was found that the activities developed in the ecological trails of the Sítio Fundão State Park not only have strategies aimed at environmental preservation and Ecotourism but also develop inclusive actions, which have a direct relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs.

OPEN DATA CUBE APPLICATION TO USER-GENERATED GEODATA: VISITORS TURNOUT INVESTIGATION IN THE INSUBRIA NATURAL PARKS

Abstract. Green areas such as natural and periurban parks embed key assets for biodiversity and landscape preservation and environmental education. In most cases, they also boost local economic growth for their hosting territories thanks to the establishment of eco-tourism activities. Nevertheless, coordinated management and promotion actions between policymakers and promoters remain vital for the sustainable exploitation of these green areas. The knowledge of visitors dynamics across natural parks is necessary information necessary to drive parks management policies while being often a complex data to collect. To that end, this paper proposes the use of user-generated geodata, namely users’ location records provided by the Facebook Data for Good program, to assess visitors’ turnout for the natural parks of the Insubria Region, between Southern Switzerland and Northern Italy. The Open Data Cube technology, originally developed for managing satellite Earth observation data, was here adapted for processing and analysing the considered user-generated geodata. Space-time patterns of Facebook users’ presence in the period May 2020 – December 2021 were extracted to infer visitors’ fluxes and destinations preferences. Results pointed out differences between Italian and Swiss parks by outlining also most visited locations within each park. Despite limitations related to data representativeness (limited sample of Facebook app users with location history enabled on their devices) the integration of user-generated geodata in a cutting-edge and free and open-source data management platform, such as the Open Data Cube, turned out to be promising for the improvement of natural areas management practices.

The ecotourism system: a local approach. Practical case of Cuando Cubango provincy, Angola

The objective of this article was to design a spatial circular system with a local approach to the management of ecotourism that contributes to the systematization and establishment of ecotourism networks, as a proposal to minimize theoretical-methodological and material deficiencies of existing systems in the desire to link and concretize the participation of the local community. It is a quali-quantitative and transversal research, where the different categories of the scientific method were used, such as: systemic-structural, analytical-synthetic and induction and deduction from an endogenous approach. The design of the proposal of the Circular Model of Ecotourism and the partial application on the Island of Leapeka, in Cuando Cubango, Angola, allowed the emergence of a new theoretical-methodological instrument, also spatial, for the management of ecotourism, which ecotourism policy makers, travel agencies, tour operators and local communities can strengthen and appropriate for the management of ecotourism activity with indicators for the local community.

Local people's perception of the impacts and importance of ecotourism in Central Nepal.

Ecotourism contributes to conserving natural resources and promoting natural and cultural resources stewardship. However, without the strong support and involvement of local people, it is not easy to achieve the stated goals. This study aimed to understand the local people’s perception of the impacts and importance of ecotourism. We conducted a semi-structured interview of 167 respondents from Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal’s prime center for ecotourism. The result revealed that more than 70% of respondents are interested in ecotourism activities, and their interests are significantly affected by their age, academic qualification, and occupation. Local people from the study area perceived that infrastructure development and increase in the knowledge base are significant impacts of ecotourism. The study showed that local people’s socioeconomic and demographic characteristics significantly influenced their perceived impacts of ecotourism. Detailed understanding and consideration of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics can contribute to effective outreach and planning process, potentially resulting in the higher promotion of ecotourism.

Ecotourism through the perception of forest villagers: understanding via mediator effects using structural equation modeling.

Ecotourism activities play an important role in providing economic gain to villagers living in forest ecosystems. Successful sustainable forest management is made possible through the environmental responsibility of the stakeholders and the support of the local inhabitants of the region. Contemporary studies conducted in ecotourism have focused on meeting regional expectations by assessing the satisfaction levels and attitudes of tourists and evaluating hotel management services, but have excluded the perspective of the rural people in the region. Using causal models and mediation effects, this study attempted to explore the attitudes of forest villagers, as the most important interest group, toward ecotourism activities in Turkey. Structural equation modeling and bootstrap methods were applied to identify key concepts related to ecotourism including the mediation effects between income opportunities and ecotourism satisfaction as perceived by the forest villagers regarding perceived negative effects and insufficient services. According to the results of the research, it was determined that, despite the perceived negative effects of ecotourism activities by the forest villagers, income opportunities made a strong positive contribution to their perceived ecotourism satisfaction. Study results offer significant implications for policymakers and ecotourism planners for decreasing pressure on forest ecosystems through participatory forest management approaches to sustainable development in rural areas associated with forest ecosystems.