Community Empowerment in the Management of Pine Forest Ecotourism in Rombeng: Implications for Local Economic Sustainability
Keywords:
Ecotourism; Rombeng Pine Forest; Community Empowerment; Sustainable Tourism Management; SWOT Analysis; Nature-Based Tourism; Tourism Facilities DevelopmentAbstract
This study seeks to develop a community-based ecotourism strategy for Rombeng Pine Forest, located in Bonto Lojong Village, Bantaeng Regency, by employing a qualitative research design supported by SWOT analysis. Primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews with site managers, local residents, and visitors, complemented by direct field observations. The findings reveal that the current performance of ecotourism in the area remains suboptimal, particularly in terms of infrastructure availability and supporting amenities. To address these challenges, the study proposes an amenity enhancement framework that prioritizes community empowerment through capacity-building programs and the provision of environmentally responsible tourism facilities. The implementation of this framework is expected to enhance visitor satisfaction while simultaneously generating more reliable and sustainable income opportunities for local communities. Furthermore, the study underscores the necessity of integrated and sustainable ecotourism governance, emphasizing collaborative involvement among key stakeholders throughout the planning and implementation processes. The findings offer important policy implications, highlighting the need for institutional support for community-based ecotourism initiatives and increased awareness of environmental conservation. This research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable ecotourism development and provides practical recommendations for managers of nature-based tourism destinations with similar characteristics.
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