Economic And Social Empowerment Efforts In The Community Through Ecotourism Business Development

Abstract

Tourism is one way to sustainably utilize and empower local communities. Ecotourism is associated with two criteria, namely being responsible for nature and supporting the social and culture of local communities. Ecotourism is a tourist activity that pays great attention to the preservation of tourism resources. Ecotourism is currently an option for promoting a unique environment that maintains its authenticity while also becoming an area for tourist visits. The mangrove ecotourism area in Kayu Ara Permai Village is proof of the existence of an ecotourism business. This research uses descriptive qualitative research. The main subject of this research is the Laskar Mandiri Conservation Group in Kayu Ara Permai Village. Efforts to empower the community's economy utilize natural resources, namely mangrove forests, by creating historic river mangrove ecotourism and creating derivative products from mangroves. Efforts to empower the community in the social sector are carried out by forming the Laskar Mandiri Conservation group (KKLM) and having extensive relationships with institutions and companies to provide funding for building ecotourism infrastructure.