The perception of community in the development of ecotourism in Toba Regency based on conservation and local wisdom
Rahmawaty (a,b*), Ma^rifatin Zahrah (a,b), Robert Sibarani (b), Abdul Rauf (b,c), Mohd Hasmadi Ismail (d), Ibrahim Amin (a), R. Hamdani Harahap (b), Irma Amalia (a), Ritha F Dalimunthe (b), Oding Affandi (a,b), Seca Gandaseca (e), Gopin S Pasaribu (a), Leonardo Sitorus (f)

a) Forestry Study Program, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Kampus USU 2 Bekala, Pancur Batu, Deli Serdang 20353, North Sumatra, Indonesia
*rahmawaty[at]usu.ac.id
b) Natural Resources and Environmental Management Study Program, Postgraduate School, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Kampus USU Medan 20155, North Sumatra, Indonesia.
c)Agroecotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Jl. Prof. A Sofyan No. 3 Kampus USU Medan 20155, North Sumatra, Indonesia
d) Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia, Tel./Fax+603-9769-7176/+603-9769-3768
e) School of Biology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Jalan Ilmu 1/1, 40450 UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
f) The Environmental and Forestry Service, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Toba Regency that is one of the regencies in North Sumatra Province, which is rich in ecotourism potential. Various ecotourism potentials, such as lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and natural panoramas, are often found in Toba Regency. This study aimed to analyze the community^s perception of the development of ecotourism based on conservation and local wisdom. Focus group discussions and interviews with key informants were carried out to gather the information. Filling out the questionnaire was carried out on 113 respondents. According to the survey, a majority of 64% of those polled suggested that local traditions and customs should be preserved and transformed into a tourist attraction. Additionally, 85% of respondents answered that conducting a survey to determine the potential for ecotourism development is necessary for planning. Another 81% of those surveyed recommended individual training programs to help improve the community^s capacity in nature tourism management. Moreover, adequate facilities and infrastructure that can facilitate ecotourism management were desired by 52% of participants. Finally, 77% of respondents agreed that all parties, including the government, managers, and community, need to be involved in the development of nature tourism to achieve optimal results.

Keywords: Local tradition, nature tourism, natural panorama, waterfall

Topic: Topik E: Biodiversity and ecotourism