Fitrianatsany Fitrianatsany, Alvin Bagus Prastya

PENGEMBANGAN WISATA EDUKASI

Introduction

Pengembangan wisata edukasi. Kaji pengembangan wisata edukasi & konservasi satwa liar di Blitar, fokus Maliran Deer Feeding & Kesambi Trees Park. Analisis SWOT identifikasi tantangan & strategi pariwisata berkelanjutan.

Abstract

Abstrak: Penelitian ini mengkaji pariwisata edukasi dan konservasi satwa liar di Kabupaten Blitar dengan fokus pada kawasan hutan dan kawasan konservasi satwa, khususnya Maliran Deer Feeding dan Kesambi Trees Park yang terletak di Alas Maliran Blitar. Lokasi ini dipilih sebagai objek penelitian karena Maliran Deer Feeding dan Kesambi Trees Park merupakan destinasi pariwisata edukasi serta tempat konservasi rusa yang menerapkan konservasi ex-situ, yaitu upaya pelestarian satwa di luar habitat alaminya. Selain itu, dalam pengembangan usaha pariwisata, terdapat kawasan hutan produksi seperti pohon kesambi, mahoni, dan trembesi yang dapat dinikmati wisatawan sebagai tempat berteduh dan fasilitas edukasi, serta berbagai wahana permainan dan aktivitas fisik seperti playground, double track, dan wahana permainan dewasa yang dapat digunakan oleh wisatawan atau pengunjung dan dikembangkan oleh pengelola objek wisata. Masalah yang muncul dalam penelitian ini adalah kurang optimalnya pengelolaan objek wisata Maliran Deer Feeding dan Kesambi Trees Park, seperti kondisi tempat yang kurang terawat, kekurangan tenaga kerja untuk menjaga kelestarian kawasan wisata ini, promosi yang belum maksimal, serta kurangnya kesadaran masyarakat dalam memanfaatkan lokasi wisata sebagai ladang penghidupan. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisis SWOT yang menganalisis bentuk, struktur, dan fungsi dalam masyarakat. Pendekatan ini memberikan pemahaman tentang cara masyarakat berkembang atau terbentuk melalui elemen-elemen yang saling terhubung dan dinamis untuk memenuhi kebutuhan individu. Penelitian ini juga menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi kasus dan melakukan observasi langsung di lapangan, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Pada Penelitian ini penting untuk menciptakan strategi pengembangan potensi pariwisata yang melibatkan masyarakat, pengelola, dan pemerintah. Hal ini membantu membangun pariwisata berkelanjutan dengan mengembangkan pariwisata alternatif, produk wisata yang berfokus pada minat konsumen, melibatkan komunitas lokal, mempromosikan citra destinasi, dan menggali keaslian destinasi tersebut. Kata Kunci: Wisata Edukasi; Konservasi Satwa Liar; Pariwisata Berkelanjutan.   Abstract: This study examines educational tourism and wildlife conservation in Blitar Regency, focusing on forest areas and wildlife conservation sites, particularly Maliran Deer Feeding and Kesambi Trees Park located in Alas Maliran Blitar. These locations were chosen as research objects due to their roles as educational tourism destinations and conservation sites for deer, implementing ex-situ conservation efforts that preserve wildlife outside their natural habitats. Additionally, the development of tourism businesses includes production forest areas featuring kesambi, mahogany, and trembesi trees that serve as shaded spots and educational facilities for visitors. Various recreational facilities such as playgrounds, double tracks, and adult activity zones are also available and managed by tourism operators. Challenges identified in this study include suboptimal management of Maliran Deer Feeding and Kesambi Trees Park, such as poor maintenance, insufficient manpower to maintain conservation efforts, inadequate promotion, and a lack of community awareness in utilizing the tourism site as a livelihood source. This study uses SWOT analysis to examine the forms, structures, and functions within society. This approach provides an understanding of how society develops or is formed through interconnected and dynamic elements that fulfill individual needs. A qualitative case study method was applied, utilizing direct field observation, interviews, and documentation. The findings highlight the importance of developing tourism potential strategies involving the community, managers, and government to foster sustainable tourism by promoting alternative tourism, consumer-interest-focused products, local community engagement, destination image promotion, and authenticity exploration. Keywords: Educational Tourism; wildlife conservation; Sustainable Tourism

Review

This study provides a timely examination of educational tourism and wildlife conservation efforts within Blitar Regency, focusing specifically on the Maliran Deer Feeding and Kesambi Trees Park in Alas Maliran. The chosen sites are particularly relevant due to their dual function as ex-situ conservation areas for deer and as educational tourism destinations, further enhanced by the presence of production forests offering both ecological and recreational value. The abstract effectively sets the stage by identifying a significant problem: the suboptimal management of these promising locations, which hinders their potential for sustainable development. This initial framing underscores the practical importance of the research in addressing real-world challenges faced by local tourism initiatives. The research employs a qualitative case study approach, utilizing direct field observation, interviews, and documentation to gather in-depth insights. A key analytical tool is the SWOT analysis, which aims to deconstruct the internal and external factors influencing the site's development by examining the societal structures and functions involved. The findings clearly delineate several critical issues contributing to the suboptimal management, including poor site maintenance, an acute shortage of manpower for conservation efforts, insufficient promotional activities, and a noticeable lack of community awareness regarding the economic opportunities presented by the tourism site. These detailed observations provide a robust foundation for understanding the impediments to the park's growth. Crucially, the study culminates in a series of strategic recommendations aimed at fostering sustainable tourism. It emphasizes the imperative of collaborative efforts involving the community, site managers, and government bodies to unlock the full potential of educational tourism. The proposed strategies are multifaceted, advocating for the development of alternative tourism options, the creation of consumer-interest-focused products, active engagement of local communities, strategic promotion to enhance the destination's image, and a deeper exploration of the site's authentic characteristics. This forward-looking perspective highlights the study's relevance in guiding stakeholders toward comprehensive and sustainable development practices for educational tourism and wildlife conservation.

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