TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION MODEL IN DEVELOPING CONSERVATION TOWARD SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN BANYUWANGI INDONESIA

Abstract

Community-based tourism (CBT) towards sustainable tourism with an integrated model of technology, cultural values and rural environment is no longer a new form in many countries, including Indonesia. However, CBT approach of sustainable manner, especially in rural areas, where tourism has recently emerged as an alternative livelihood, have received little attention. This research explores the impact of tourism on the lives of local communities, the level of community participation in tourism, and the challenges of community tourism development in rural Kemiren, Banyuwangi Regency. This research utilize qualitative methods of participant observation and in-depth interviews with villagers engaged in tourism. Results show that tourism contributes significantly to the lives of residents in Kemiren Village (e.g., increased income, change in livelihood from agriculture to tourism, increased environmental awareness). However, tourism development has constraints related to the skills and knowledge of local people, their limited participation in tourism policy and planning. Other issues relate to the negative impacts of tourism on the cultural, social and environmental aspects of Kemiren. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive coordination among all tourism stakeholders, building a long-term strategy to overcome obstacles towards the development of sustainable CBT in the future with the integration of technology, cultural values and rural environment.