Enhancing Community Engagement Through Social Media: Analyzing Its Role in Promoting Sustainable Ecotourism and Economic Development in Alas Purwo National Park
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37385/ijedr.v4i6.6748Keywords:
Social Media, Sustainable Ecotourism, Community Participation, Promotion, SWOT Analysis, Alas Purwo National ParkAbstract
Alas Purwo National Park (TNAP), located in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, is an important area in natural resources conservation. With its extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna, TNAP has great potential for sustainable ecotourism development. In 2016, TNAP was designated as part of the World Biosphere Reserve and joined the Blambangan Biosphere Reserve with Mount Ijen and Baluran National Park. One of the main attractions in TNAP is Savana Sadengan, an artificial savanna used for grazing various types of animals, where visitors can see wild animals gathering for food. G-Land Beach, famous for its high waves, is a popular surfing location, with its waves being the second highest after Hawaii. The development of ecotourism in Alas Purwo requires active involvement from the community to increase understanding of the importance of environmental conservation as well as effective promotion to attract tourists. Social media plays an important role in facilitating promotion and education about ecotourism, and can encourage community participation in nature management and conservation. This study aims to analyze the role of social media in ecotourism promotion and community involvement in Alas Purwo National Park, using SWOT analysis to evaluate internal and external factors that influence the success of ecotourism development. The results show that social media has a very important role in increasing community awareness, promotion and participation. However, there are some challenges related to limited network and transportation infrastructure, as well as the need for technology education among local communities. Based on the SWOT analysis, the strategy for developing sustainable ecotourism in TNAP must consider the strengths and opportunities that exist, while overcoming the weaknesses and threats faced. Thus, it is hoped that TNAP can become a major destination for ecotourism and contribute to conservation and environmental preservation, which ultimately brings benefits to the environment and surrounding communities.
References
Arida, S. (2017). Ekowisata: Pengembangan, partisipasi lokal, dan tantangan ekowisata. Cakra Press.
Azzahra, F., & Sujali, E. (2013). Peran media sosial dalam mempromosikan destinasi wisata. Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 5(2), 234–236.
Buhalis, D., & Law, R. (2008). Progress in information technology and tourism management: 20 years on and 10 years after the Internet—the state of eTourism research. Tourism Management, 29(4), 607–623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.01.005
Destiani, P., Dolorosa, E., & Kurniati, D. The promotion of mangrove ecotourism through social networking in Mempawah Regency.
Giglio, V. J., Luiz, O. J., & Schiavetti, A. (2015). Marine life preferences and perceptions among recreational divers in Brazilian coral reefs. Tourism Management, 51, 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2015.04.001
Nurhalimah, N., Darmawan, R. N., & Kanom, K. (2021). Bimbingan teknis digitalisasi promosi berbasis website dan media sosial daya tarik wisata air terjun Kedung Angin Desa Pakel Kecamatan Licin Kabupaten Banyuwangi. Jurnal Abdi Masyarakat Indonesia, 1(2), 223–230.
Permatasari, I. (2022). Peran model pengembangan pariwisata berbasis masyarakat (community-based tourism) dalam mewujudkan pariwisata berkelanjutan (sustainable tourism) di Bali. Kertha Wicaksana, 16(2), 164–171. https://doi.org/10.22225/kw.16.2.2022.164-171
Setiawan, E. (2021). Partisipasi masyarakat dalam pengelolaan kawasan konservasi Taman Nasional Alas Purwo. Jurnal Sosiologi USK, 15(2), 174–181.
Setiawan, E. (2023). Strategi pengembangan ekosistem mangrove Taman Nasional Alas Purwo berbasis ekowisata. Inspirasi: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 20(2), 898–913.
Shinta, N. (2022). Partisipasi masyarakat dalam pengembangan ekowisata di Desa Srikaton Kecamatan Tanjung Bintang Kabupaten Lampung Selatan (PhD thesis). UIN Raden Intan Lampung.
Suroija, N., Asrori, M., & Nugroho, B. S. (2022). Strategi pengembangan ekowisata dengan model pentahelix pada Karang Jahe Beach Kabupaten Rembang. In Prosiding Seminar Hasil Penelitian dan Pengabdian Masyarakat.
Vélez-Macías, K. A., Sánchez-Cortez, J. L., & Macas-Espinosa, V. X. (2024). Characterization and evaluation of environmental units as a management and conservation strategy of the Palmira Desert (Ecuador). International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 12(3), 446–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgeop.2023.11.001
Wirakusuma, R. M., Sukirman, O., Waliyudin, R. T., & Putra, R. R. (2019). Designing coral reef transplantation program with local community in form of marine ecotourism tour package. Journal of Indonesian Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, 2(2), 185–196.
Xie, P. F., Chandra, V., & Gu, K. (2013). Morphological changes of coastal tourism: A case study of Denarau Island, Fiji. Tourism Management Perspectives, 5, 75–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2012.12.003
Yesicha, C., Sari, G. G., & Faisal, G. (2019). Pendampingan pemanfaatan media sosial dalam mengembangkan potensi ekowisata Tasik Merah di Pulau Rangsang Provinsi Riau. Buletin Ilmiah Nagari Membangun, 2(2), 75–87.
Yuanjaya, P. (2021). Antara pariwisata dan ekologi: Pengembangan ekowisata di Taman Nasional Alas Purwo. Jurnal Transformative, 7(2), 261–280.
