[Unpad Media Channel] Community empowerment in tourism is one of the principles of sustainable tourism. Therefore, the collaboration between government and society, also long-term planning are required to support sustainable tourism.
“By involving local society in the tourism events, sustainable tourism helps to create jobs and stimulate the local economy,” said the Senior Consultant of PT Panghegar Hospitality Management, Ir. Cecep Rukmana, M.M., CHA., when becomes the speaker in the podcast titled Sustainable Tourism in Famous Destinations” that is held by the Unpad’s Sustainable Tourism Study Center at the Graduate School Building of Unpad, Bandung, Wednesday, August 7th, 2024.
Cecep Rukmana, who also previously served as the Secretary General of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) from 2015 to 2020, explained that five points need to be considered in the implementation of tourism are management of resources, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, economic benefits and local communities, as well as visitor management.
Moreover, the Head of the Sustainable Tourism Study Center at Unpad’s Graduate School, Donny Juliandri Prihandi, S.Pi., M.Sc., CPM, Ph.D. as the host of the podcast said that sustainable tourism aims to ensure that tourism with resources can be maintained and continue to provide economic benefits to the surrounding community, both in the present and for the future.
Donny explained that there is a close relationship between sustainable tourism and the blue economy because both aim to promote economic development while ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources. A well-managed tourism industry, through digital marketing and sustainable tourism principles, can support economic growth while maintaining environmental, social, and economic balance.
In planning sustainable tourism for popular destinations, several aspects need to be considered, such as congestion, visitor quotas or carrying capacity, facilities and infrastructure, transportation, and resources. Education about tourism is important for both the public and government to raise awareness of environmental impacts. Therefore, support from various parties is needed, including the government, local communities, and visitors.
Sustainable tourism development is not only about planning and research but also requires comprehensive studies and intensive monitoring to assess the potential for sustainable tourism. Hence, the Master Program of Sustainable Tourism at Unpad is committed to being an agent of change through the planning and promotion of tourism destinations that are not yet widely visited by the public. (release/SA) *
