CILETUH GEOPARK TOWARD THE TOURISM INDUSTRY Meilanny Budiarti Santoso, Santoso Tri Raharjo, Nurliana Cipta Apsari
The Social Entrepreneur, CSR, and Community Development Research Centre Universitas Padjadjaran
Department of Social Welfare Universitas Padjadjaran B Building First Floor Social and Political Faculty, Bandung Sumedang Highway Km. 21 Jatinangor
Abstract
Geopark by nature is located in a remote area thus the infrastructure and other facilities development need to be fulfiled. Geopark areas consist of geological and biological varieties and also valuable potential of cultural variety. These varieties bring many attractions thus it is unavoidable for the area into becoming tourists attraction, which open the possibility for the local community to offer various kinds of services and goods needed to support the tourist industry which in the end will improve the welfare of the local community.
This study is aiming at looking the preparedness of the local community in receiving the status of geopark in Ciletuh Palabuanratu Indonesia. Using the descriptive method and qualitative approach, the data gained through interview to various stakeholders and local people involved in the development of the geopark.
The result shows various stakeholders have worked hand in hand promoting and preparing Ciletuh area to become the geopark area. However, the community have not yet prepared to receive the significant impact from the introducion of the Ciletuh as geopark area. Therefore, an effort in improving the local community capacity becomes a necessity because tourism activity is closely related to interaction between the local community and the tourists.
Keywords: Geopark, tourism, community welfare, Ciletuh, Indonesia
Topic: Strategic Management, Entrepreneurship and Contemporary Issues
