Understanding Ecotourism Management Practices through a Field Study

Tourism Studies Master Program of  Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada, conducted a field study on "Ecotourism Management Based on Natural, Socio-cultural, and Community Potentials." This activity is part of the Ecotourism Management course for the Second Semester of the Academic Year 2023/2024, held over two days on May 7, 2024, at Mount Merapi National Park, and on May 14, 2024, at Kalibiru and Jatimulyo Tourist Villages, Kulon Progo.


Siti Nurul Rofiqo Irwan, S.P., M.Agr., Ph.D., the course coordinator, stated that this field study aims to introduce the implementation and real practices of ecotourism management. By participating in this activity, students are expected to learn firsthand how to manage tourism while maintaining environmental sustainability and considering the welfare of the local community.


Students learnt directly from tourism industry practitioners in this activity. One session was delivered by the Head of Mount Merapi National Park, M. Wahyudi, S.P., M.Sc. He explained Mount Merapi National Park is divided into seven zones: the core zone, the forest zone, the utilization zone, the rehabilitation zone, the traditional zone, the religious, cultural, and historical zone (ZBS), and the special zone. The core zone is an area strictly protected and changes such as reduction, loss of function, and addition of non-native plant and animal species is prohibited. Meanwhile, areas that can be managed for nature tourism are included in the utilization zone such as Telaga Muncar and Plunyon Kalikuning, both located in the region of Kaliurang.


In addition to these two zones, there is also a traditional zone which could be utilized by the communities around the park for traditional purposes.The communities have been dependent on natural resources for generations.


Students are also invited to conduct field studies in Kalibiru and Jatimulyo Villages, Kulon Progo. Kalibiru is a tourist attraction known for its natural beauty, a combination of forests, the Menoreh Hills, and the view of Sermo Reservoir that can be enjoyed from the top of Kalibiru. Moreover, this tourist village also offers education on the production of Javanese sugar, "wedang uwuh" (a traditional Javanese drink), "krumpyung" (a Javanese snack), and Javanese gamelan education by fostering good cooperation with the local community.


The students then continued their field study in Jatimulyo Village. In this session, Kelik Suparno who represents the Wanapaksi Forest Farmers Group of Conservation Division, shared his experience in managing this tourist village, which focuses on bird ecotourism. Kelik explained that their village has gone through a long process to become  a bird-friendly village. Initially, bird hunting was rampant in Jatimulyo until 2011 when the Menoreh Care Community initiated a bird conservation education program for the younger generation in Sokomoyo Hamlet. Furthermore, Kelik said many dialogues have been conducted to create awareness among the surrounding community to establish  the current tourist village .


The field study was enthusiastically joined in by the students accompanied by the course instructors. Subsequently, the students were assigned group tasks to prepare papers according to the learning they acquired during this activity.



Author: Muthia Nur Arifah

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