International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Aris Munandar, Adilita Pramanti, Erna Ermawati Chotim
Department of Sociology, Universitas Nasional, Indonesia
Abstract: This paper is the result of an exploratory study on the ecotourism development of the Ciletuh-Palabuanratu Geopark in the Sukabumi Regency. Especially observing the involvement of local communities as one of the main stakeholders who will determine the sustainability of these ecotourism development activities. The Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark has been designated by UNESCO as a global geopark because it is considered to have advantages and uniqueness in geological diversity, biological diversity, and cultural diversity. To support the sustainability of this geopark, the local government has been developing Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu tourism with the principles of conservation, community empowerment, and collaboration to become an international-class tourist destination. This tour is managed by the Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark Management Agency (CPUGGp) under the Sukabumi Regency Government, West Java.
Keywords: geopark, ecotourism, sustainability, community participation, empowerment
I.INTRODUCTION
Geopark is a management concept for sustainable area development that harmonizes geological, biological, and cultural diversity through existing conservation and spatial planning principles (Yanuar et.al. 2018). The Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark located in Sukabumi Regency, West Java has an area of 126,100 Hectares or 1,261 km2, covering 74 villages in 8 sub-districts namely: Cisolok, Cikakak, Palabuhanratu, Simpenan, Ciemas, Waluran, Ciracap, and Surade (PPGK-Geologi UNPAD, 2019 ). Ciletuh Palabuhanratu Geopark is one of the geoparks in Indonesia that was designated as a National Geopark on December 22, 2015. In 2018, the Ciletuh-Pelabuhanratu Geopark was approved as part of the Global Geopark Network in one of the commission sessions at the 204th Unesco Executive Board in Paris, France on April 14, 2018. This recognition has become the pride of the government and society, especially in Sukabumi Regency and this achievement has stimulated positive and creative responses from various groups. In its development, the existence of the Geopark has become a very potent factor in empowering the socio-economic life of the community so that it contributes to the sustainability of the Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu UNESCO Global Geopark development.