Geotourism Resources as Part of SustainableDevelopment in Geopark Indonesia

Ayu Krishna YuliawatiManagement Study Program

Universitas Pendidikan IndonesiaBandung, Indonesiaayukrishna@upi.edu

Krishna Nur PribadiInstitute Teknologi dan SainsBandung Bekasi, Indonesia

Mohamad Sapari Dwi HadianEnvironmental Geology Faculty ofGeology Universitas Padjadjaran

Jatinangor, Indonesia

Abstract— Indonesia is known as rich in natural resourcesdue to its location in the ring of fire and meeting of threecontinental plates. There are two international geoparkrecognized by Global Geopark Network UNESCO, which areBatur Global Geopark dan Sewu Global Geopark. The geoparkcontains Indonesia's geotourism resources explored in this studythrough the perception of management. Competition forgeotourism destination to attract tourists is high, since otherneighboring countries also have offered geotourism. Theobjective of this study is to explore the geotourism resources ingeopark, and how it is linked to sustainable development.Research utilize qualitative method, collecting secondary dataand primary data through interview guided with semi-structuredquestionnaires with two geopark management organizationabout 10 geopark personnel and 100 tourists. The results foundthat respondents have perceived geotourism resources in thegeopark to be rich and diversified, but lack in conservation,interpretation, resources management and needs furtherdevelopment based on the sustainability principle.Recommendation is suggested to the stakeholder such as geoparkmanagement, government, community, and academics for morecoordination and collaboration to ensure geotourism resourcesplay a role in sustainable development.

Keywords— Geotourism resources, sustainable development,geopark

I. INTRODUCTION

Indonesia is a country rich with natural and culturalresources, which have the potential to be developed further thetourism sector. Located in the ring of fire, Indonesia hasunique geological features, these geological areas thatcontained geodiversity and biodiversity. The geological area isone of the important heritage, it contains the history ofmankind in the area. Geology is important as part of thenatural systems. Understanding of climate, landforms andbiodiversity depends on geological studies. Even humanhabitation and cultural heritage depend on geology. Theconcept of geoconservation and preservation of geologicalheritage has appeared only recently (Wilson 1994; Sharples1997; Osborne 2000,Brilhá 2002) Many efforts have beenmade for the protection of biodiversity, yet initiatives towardsthe conservation of geodiversity are often neglected. There are3 world heritages and 50 national parks in Indonesia thatexisted on geological bases and have geological meanings.

The development of the areas where geosites lay, not allpractice the sustainable development approach in the field.

Sustainability has been defined as the consumption ofgoods and services that meet basic needs and quality of lifewithout jeopardizing the needs of future generations[1]. Basedon UNWTO [2] data, in 1950 the number of visits counted asmany as 25 million people, in 1980 reached 278 millionpeople, then in 1995 increased to 528 million people, and in2014 increased again to 1.138 million people. So it can be saidthat the tourism industry is one of the economic sectors withthe largest and fastest growing in the world. The rising numberof tourist in geosites could jeopardize the sustainability of thearea.

The geosites are located in the geopark, defined as aterritory with a particular geological heritage of internationalappeal, which is developed. One of the destinations visited bymany tourists is a geotourism destination. It is tourism basedon the earth's natural objects such as mountains, rivers,valleys, beaches, waterfall, lakes, rocks and so on. Indonesiahas a lot of potential. Geotourism located at geopark scatteredthroughout the region, but has not been developed. Until now,Indonesia has only one global geopark region namely BaturGlobal Geopark. Indonesia is still less competitive than Chinain 2012 already has about 140 national geopark and 28 ofthem including the UNESCO global geopark network [3].China have linked its geopark netwrok with scholarly researchon this filed, while in indonesia there has only been fewresearch conducted in the Indonesian geopark. Research in thisfield is one of the prequisite for applying the status oninternational geopark.

There have been a limited amount of study in geotourismcompared to other types of tourism because it is a newconcept. Studies done by Burne and Chapple [4], and Hose[5] shows the negative effect of tourism on geosites due tomass tourism.

Several research conducted by Li [6] , Teh and Cabanban[7] dan Jacob [8] have taken into consideration the indicatorsfor sustainable tourism development in tourism destinations inorder to consistently apply the sustainable developmentprinciple. Geotourism approach can be adopted where themain elements are: sustainability, conservation, benefiting thecommunity and appreciation of the cultural and geoheritagevalue through education and interpretation [9].

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Geopark is integrated with geological heritage area thatused to promote the development of local communities in asustainable manner. Low environment sustainability to be oneof the factors that cause travelers less inclined to come backto geo destinations in Indonesia. There are seven geoparks inIndonesia, two with International recognition: Batur GlobalGeopark and Sewu Global Geopark . This research objectiveis to explore the geotourism resources in geoparks, and how itis linked to sustainable development.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

Geotourism is considered a feasible tactic to stimulateeconomic activities and sustainable development in geoparks,Although the launching of geoparks and geotourism is still inthe early stages [10]. A geopark must meet the followingrequirements, such as: must have at least one national andinternational geodiversity geoheritage, be developed byconservation-based management and educational activitiesbased on sustainable development for the welfare of society.Geotourism have benefit for the local community supportingconservation principles related to natural resources, culture,heritage and traditions. Geotourism benefits the localcommunity and not only celebrates sense of place, but alsosupports principles of conservation related to naturalresources, culture, heritage and traditions [11]. Geopark as ageotourism destination is closely linked to sustainabledevelopment. The strategy for regional sustainable economicand cultural development is to integrate the preservation ofgeological heritage [12]. In line with this, a study describedthe important role of a geopark in development of geotourismand local economy in rural areas [13]. Geotourism in geoparkcreate innovative local enterprises and generate new source ofincome. Geopark also play a role in reviving the local culture[12].

An important contribution to the local economy instantiatedby the presence of the museum is the increasing number ofscientific congresses and meetings organized in the Museum chall. These events bring scientists from all over the world tothe geopark, helping the geopark become well known in theacademic community as well as to promote the existinginfrastructure for the hosting of academic and educationalactivities (i.e. research groups, educational visits, studentsfield work). As a result, several universities have started toorganise student visits and field work in the geopark [14].

Some research were done in geotourism in Indonesia isconducted in the Pemuteran area and Ciletuh geopark. Thebiodiversity of Pemuteran had been declining rapidly beforethe Biorock reef restoration projects were installed. Lessonslearnt from the Pemuteran success in using biorock to restorecoral reefs and the tourism and fisheries as the backbone of thecoastal economy as well as restoring the geo-biodiversitybaseline could be applied at Halong. One of the Biorockmethod’s key successes is the acceptance, engagement andsupport from local community in preserving their bio-geodiversity [15].Several research conducted in the geopark Cilteuh area aboutgeodiversity in the area is conducted by scientists on the

characteristic uniqueness of Ciletuh, Sukabumi area and its’implications [16], and on the Geology of Ciletuh Geopark[17].

III. METHODOLOGY

Geotourism is an emerging geoscience with clear and deepsocial interrelation, which must be grounded in knowledge andmethods developed in different sciences, thus approaching thesocial sciences of the natural sciences. Such holistic visionmust be taken into account not only in its scope, but also in itsmethods, including in multi discipline research procedures.Data collection is done to collect resources in research eitherin the form of secondary data and primary. Secondary datawere obtained through geopark reports, borchures andliterature review. While primary data obtained through semi-structured interviews and observation on the object understudy. Interviews were conducted with geopark managementins two International Geopark management consisted of ageological agency program manager, communityrepresentatives, and academics who have knowledge onmanagement and geology. Out of the population for 7geoparks, only 2 international geoparks in Indonesia thatbecome the sampling unit. About 10 personnel from themanagement of two geoparks were interviewd andquestionairre to 100 tourists were given. The study utilize non-probability purposive sampling technique for the sample selectionand is based on calculated personal judgments, and researchersutilize their own perceptions and knowledge to determine thesample size.Within the sample design, purposive samplingtechnique was used to collect the primary data from therespondents [18].

In conducting the data analysis used qualitative contentanalysis method and descriptive analysis. This analysis is usedas a method in the study due to consider the shape of the dataand information collected in the form of interviews, surveyand official documents that require techniques to understandand interpret the data. Descriptive methods that are used thistime is analytic description. Analytic description is adescription that is done by connecting the data that has beenobtained by categories on existing theory so as to produce anew description.

IV. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Indonesia is rich in diversity of geology as a result ofgeological processes over millions of years ago. Theformation of volcanic landforms exposure (quarter andancient) in Java and Bali island as part of the Ring of Fire. Thebeauty of the south coast of West Java as a result of tectonicprocesses that developed makes this area will have trace theformation of the earth that is worth of high science andlandscapes beautiful and exotic as a national tourism potential.Geopark as areas that have tourism potential of geo notimmune from threats to the environment when not managedproperly tourist objects. The management in Batur and Sewuglobal geopark said that the area choose to became a geopark,because it can derives economic value thus causing localeconomic development through tourism activities. Localeconomic development through nature-based tourism

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activities. Geotourism is part of sustainable development inthe area. Developing geopark tourism activities in asustainable manner is defined as the activities and efforts ofbalancing between economic developments and natureconservation.

Activities that can be done in the Batur and Sewu globalgeopark include: hiking/trekking, mountain bike cycling,swimming in the beach, caving, sightseeing, bird watching,canoe, rafting, tubing in caves and other adventure-nature-based activities. Geotourism resources in the geopark consistsof natural resources and human resources. Tourism is growingin Batur and Sewu geopark, selling beauty of the landscape,but the management has not given education aspect of geoparkto the visitors and general public. Education about thegeological history and culture as a system resulted in thebeauty of the Geopark area landscape. Therefore, withoutknowledge on the area, this cause lack of public awarenessand visitors efforts to conserve in the region.

TABLE I. KEY FINDINGS IN GEOTOURISM RESOURCES AT SEWUGLOBAL GEOPARK

Sewu Geopark

GeotourismActivities

Cave exploration and body rafting can be donefollowing the river inside the cave. Length of thecaving path is about 700 m). Trekking to thewaterfall and mountain areas, sightseeing, andbirdwatching.

NaturalResources

The caves in Sewu thrive on limestone caveOyo formations produced about 1.8 millionyears ago. Steep cliffs in the cave is theescarpment fault. Various sizes of stalactitesand flowstone adorn the cave paths.Theirconservation efforts are paying attentiongeosites sustainable development principles.Geoheritage conversation are conducted bythe relevant institutions in the area.

HumanResources

Human resources, managerial knowledgeabout the management of geopark is limited.Geopark management has not been wellintegrated in terms of resource managementbetween agencies.

One of the main function of Geopark other thanrecreation and conservation, it has the function for publiceducation. In terms of education, geopark should be able toincrease the understanding of the earth and all the processesthat occur therein for the surrounding communities and thewider society. Tourists and visitors of the park is a currentlygrowing niche market that carefully consider the environmentand take into account issues such as: purity of nature,educational tourism, culture and history, large- and small-scaleevents, and entertainment and fun. These values and needsmay be satisfied by implementation of geotourismin thegeopark area.

TABLE II. KEY FINDINGS IN GEOTOURISM RESOURCES AT BATURGLOBAL GEOPARK

Batur Geopark

GeotourismActivities

Batur Summit Geotrails is the path to substantivevolcanic peaks and several craters throughwalking. This trip was accompanied by a tourguide who was appointed by the Geopark Batur,in particular the guide of an observation centerVolcanology. Trails for mountain bike isprepared at the foothills of the volcano andconsisted of frozen lava.

NaturalResources

Caldera landscape evolution, Strombolian typeeruption, lava flow. Mount Batur has a calderameasuring 13.8 x 10 km, and is one of the largestand most beautiful in the world. There Baturcaldera geological formation consisting ofgeological formations Batur volcano rockscontaining agglomerates, lavas and tuffs. Baturhas a variety of types of lava comprehensive inthe world in the body of the mountain. Dividingzone mining area and geopark region so that thepath of mining and travel lanes are planned to beseparate. Water conservation is done by keepingthe lake Batur as areas protected by customarylaw and is not allowed by the religious leadersand community leaders to do exploration. Forgeoconservation purposes a booklet waspublished to increase the park visitior knowledgeabout the natural environment.

HumanResources

Interpretation of the geosites is key issue forvisitors. The park management haveacknowleged this issue and training guidefor local residents conducted by the ministryof tourism in collaboration premisesMinistry of Energy and the local tourismagency.

Exploiting natural kind of tourism sites and landscapescontaining earth-science interesting features in a didactic andentertaining way, relative to demand, a form of tourism basedon imagination and emotion, favoring experience andsensations, and explaining the natural environment by playingwith its temporal and spatial dimensions may provideopportunities of economic development. For instance, a mix ofwalking, wellness, "agro-tourism" and "Geotourism" may beprofitable for regional economic development.

The concept of tourism that developed in the area, has notshown the value of togetherness "Share Value" amongstakeholders so that development programs are run in an areanot well integrated. Efforts are being made still limited,moreover, people around who have not fully involved in atourism development (community still become the object of asystem of tourism) makes inhibition of the developmentprogram will be a tourist destination, because not a few touristarea that displays the geological phenomenon to be notoptimal due to the conflict of interest between stakeholders.Both of these have an impact on maximizing the local revenuefrom tourism. The natural beauty, culture, and the biodiversity

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that Batur Global Geopark dan Sewu Global Geopark hassignificant value and the potential, especially in increasinglocal and regional economic growth.

V. CONCLUSIONS

Geotourism has great potential in Indonesia, because thecountry has great geodiversity which spread across thecountry, some places need to be made as geoheritage region.Due to the recent development of the concept in Batur andSewu global geopark some gap about the conservation ofpractices occur hindering sustainable development. Therstrategy to conserve natural resources is associated withgeotourism. It is found in Batur and Sewu global geopark thatwithin geotourism based, education for tourists is key insustainable development of the area . In particular, it isnecessary for management of the geopark to give theirconsiderations for the geological conditions, human resourcesthrough geoeducation program that include materials ongeodiversity. Management must collaborate more with keystakeholder of the geopark such as academics, business andmedia.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Special thanks is given to the team member of this article,Prof. Didi Sukmayadi, Vice Rector IV Universitas PendidikanIndonesia, Prof Agus Rahayu and Prof Ratih Hurriyati fromthe School of Post-Graduate Study Universitas PendidikanIndonesia, Dean of Economics Education and BusinessUniversitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Vijaya IsnaniawardhaniDean of Geology Faculty Padjadjaran University, Dean ofGraduate School Prof. Hendarmawan , Padjadjaran University,for their support in this article so that it can be completed andsubmitted in this conference.

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