The Visitor Interpretation and Educational Value of Bird Watching Activities at Rammang Rammang

Abstract

The study is motivated by the growing interest in special interest tourism, particularly ecotourism
and bird watching, which requires well-planned routes and informative interpretation to enhance
visitor experiences while supporting conservation efforts. Rammang-Rammang, as a unique karst
landscape with rich biodiversity, holds significant potential for the development of bird watching
tourism; however, the existing routes and interpretive practices have not been systematically
documented or developed. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews with tour
guides and local stakeholders, and documentation of existing bird watching activities. This research
employed a Research and Development (R&D) approach. The results indicate that: (1) the bird
watching routes in Rammang-Rammang have strong potential to be developed as a special interest
tourism product due to their ecological diversity, scenic value, and relatively intact natural
environment; and (2) the interpretation presentation was successfully developed in the form of an
education-based interpretive guide. The developed interpretation is expected to enhance the quality
of bird watching experiences, support environmental awareness, and contribute to the sustainable
development of nature-based tourism in the Rammang-Rammang area.

Keywords: Bird Watching, Rammang-Rammang, Interpretation, Route, Education