It seemed absolutely right
if the world nicknamed Indonesia as the world’s Second Bio Diversity Country
next to Brazil because Indonesia was known to possess abundant natural wealth,
flora and fauna which made many regions in Indonesia the main reference eco
tourism that attracted domestic and overseas tourism. In addition to that
Indonesia also held abundant natural resources and historical remains and rich
cultural heritage as magnet to overseas tourists. Bio-conservation experts
predicted that Indonesia would be able to edge Brazil aside as wealthiest
country in terms of natural resources if they continued scientific research
over the untouched regions.
In the effort to identify Indonesia’s natural wealth, the
Government since 2002 had been developing eco-tourism which was a concept of
tourism which reflected the environmental aspect based on the law of
environmental balancing and conservation. Broadly speaking, development of
eco-tourism should promote quality of personal relationship, upgrade quality of
living of the local communities and safeguarding the quality of environment.
Eco-tourism was an endeavor to maximize and
simultaneously conserve the potentials of natural and cultural wealth to make
the sources of sustainable income. In other words, eco tourism was a plus
natural tourism. The above definition had been widely accepted by stakeholders
of eco-tourism. The difference was clear between tourism and eco-tourism.
However, since development effort 10 years ago, the role
of eco tourism had not contributed significantly to the progress of national tourism. Sutyaningsih Retnowati,
Director of Tourism Appeal Development, Directorate General of Tourist Destination
Development, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in Jakarta on Thursday
(26-7-2012) admitted that development effort of tourism was still hindrance so
it was not running to the maximum. One of the hindrances was less effort to
involve the local communities in the development process of eco-tourism.
According to Sutyaniungsih, to drum up more people to join eco tourism, it was
necessary to involve the local communities. “We need participation of the local
people” she said.
Retnowati rated that in developing eco-tourism, it should
be understood that eco-tourism, it should be understood that eco-tourism itself
should be beneficial by the local people, and in fact eco tourism itself should
be run directly by the people themselves whereby to bring out all the
potentials. Though development of eco-tourism Retnowati was optimistic it could
encourage the people to bring out the treasured customs and cultural heritage
which were of high selling price to the world. According to Retnowati, the
Indonesian people should be proud of their cultural heritage. The point now was
how the people could feel the benefits of eco tourism which therefore should be
developed and understood by the people.
He admitted that in developing eco-tourism which was
truly beneficial to the people, a long and strenuous effort was needed while
the result could no be felt instantly. Therefore, Retnowati said, nurturing was
necessary to build people’s awareness and care for the environment. Moreover,
she was also expecting that all people settled around the places of interest
could change their mindset whereby to develop the existing potentials. “One
thing to be observed was people’s readiness especially to be concerned of
cleanliness concern for the environment whereby to attract foreign tourism.”
she remarked.
She reminded of improper things that people do in
eco-tourism which was away from the true meaning of tourism itself, such as
oing things destructive to nature like trodding overland by jeep or cursing by
speedboat. Further she said the perhaps there were tourists who obeyed the rule
of eco tourism in conserved areas but the way they accessed the destination was
unfriendly to nature and being destructible to other locations.
Business News - August 3, 2012
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