AN ANALYSIS ON ECOTOURISM POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE MERAPI MOUNTAIN SLOPES AREA (A Study in Kalitalang and Deles Indah Tourism Objects, Kemalang District, Klaten Regency)
Siti Hamidah, Purwanto and Sutanto
Faculty of Agriculture, UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta
Abstract
Ecotourism developed in conservation areas is a "Green and Fair" ecotourism for the benefit of the sustainable development and conservation, which is a business activity that is aimed to provide sustainable economic alternatives for the people in the protected areas. The purpose of this research is to examine the potency of the Natural Resources and Socio-Culture for the development of ecotourism of the southern slope of Mount Merapi, especially in Kemalang District, Klaten Regency. The research method used is descriptive and its implementation uses case studies at Kalitalang and Deles Indah Tourism Objects . The respondents of this research are the Officials / Heads /Chairpersons of the agencies which are related to this research (Mount Merapi National Park Office, Regional Disaster Management Agency, Youth and Sports Culture Tourism Office, District, Village, and Tourism Awareness Group). The other respondents are the visitors of Kalitalang and Deles Indah Tourism Objects who could be met and were willing to be interviewed for the past two months. The data needed is primary and secondary data, which are collected by means of Interviews, Observation and Documentation. The data analysis uses a descriptive analysis. The results showed that the (1) Natural Resource Potency in the form of a beautiful natural scenery (Merapi volcano, forest, valley) is very interesting to visit and for photo spots; (2). Tourism Awareness Group (PokDarWis) has been formed as the manager of Kalitalang and Deles Tourism Objects; (3) Local Cultural Activities are as the attractions and they have been routinely carried out; (4) Facilities, such as Parking Areas, Toilets, Mushollas, Homestay and Trash, have been built; (5) Food and Beverage Products, Typical Handicrafts are worthy of sale, (6) Guidance from the Mount Merapi National Park Office, Regional Disaster Management Agency, Youth and Sports Culture Tourism Office, District and Village Government has been established; (7) Visitors have begun to increase in 2019 because they have been promoted on line, and the location directions are quite informative; and (8) need so further investigation for its development strategy must be carried out, because most of visitors have not satisfied and want to be better good for the facilities, there are any obstacles and risks.
Keywords: Ecotourism, Potency and Development, Natural Resources, Social, Cultural, Mount Merapi Slopes
Topic: Economics, Social and Business