Ecotourism Pillars Enforcement to Geotourism Destination in Slamet and Serayu Mountainous Areas, Central Java Province

Abstract

Nature based tourism, including geotourism, can have the status of ecotourism if they are able to enforce the seven pillars namely: 1) the ecological pillar, 2) the economic pillar, 3) the socio-cultural pillar, 4) the satisfaction pillar, 5) experience pillar, 6) memory pillar, and 7) education pillar. This study aims to analyse the perceptions of tourists towards the enforcement of the seven pillars of ecotourism in geotourism destinations. The study was conducted through a survey using a closed-ended questionnaire with a total number of respondents is 400 people. Data analysis was carried out using comparative quantitative and correlation quantitative methods. The results showed that there was still a “gap” between the pillars of sustainable development and the pillars of the basic needs of tourists. The results of the correlation test showed that the elements of the seven pillars of ecotourism had interrelationship each other. It is necessary to modify the form of geotourism implementation by increasing the aspects of guiding/interpreting for tourists and intensifying the involvement of tourists in all tourism activities. The regional approach are also applied to the development of geotourism so that it is more optimal, integrated and efficient in the use of resources.

Landscapes of the Yazd-Ardakan Plain (Iran) and the Assessment of Geotourism—Contribution to the Promotion and Practice of Geotourism and Ecotourism

“…Geotourism and ecotourism merge thematically, are close and complementary, and are types of tourism that highlight and orient tourists towards non-consumptive activities of biotic and abiotic wilderness [5,48,49] that should not be degraded by visiting and exploring. This form of tourism, ecotourism, is often associated with geotourism [10,17,18,[50][51][52][53]. Here are two formulations in which reference was made to the equivalence, even belonging, of geotourism to ecotourism: "Geotourism is ecotourism with an added geological theme."…”

“…When developed sustainably, ecotourism has the potential to mitigate negative impacts of tourism, enhance cultural and environmental integrity, improve resource management, and generate revenue [16]. There are views that discuss ecotourism in terms of sustainability that are based on ecological, economic, and socio-cultural pillars [17]; on the natural and social environment [18]; on conservation perspectives and marketing strategies [19]; on plans, including sustainable agriculture, micro-industry, and other activities [20], cited by [18]. However, the representation of ecotourism can go beyond the delicate conceptual 'lock-in' established by the 'form of nature-based tourism'.…”