Activities

Writer: Claudina Sibarani, Programme Associate
Editor: Firra Kholisha Mustika, Communication

Tour guides have an important role in tourism sustainability; as the front guard providing information to tourists. A tour guide needs to provide information to tourists about applicable local regulations in order to minimize social conflict and impact on the environment.

With this background, the DESMA Center facilitated Capacity Building and Community-Based Natural Tourism Management Training activities in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra on February 29 2024. The training participants numbered 40 people consisting of 17 people from the Bukit Lawang Natural Tourism Guide Business Cooperative, 14 people Tangkahan Namo Ecotourism Services Cooperative, 3 Tualang Gepang Alam Leuser Institutions, 4 Bukit Mas Tourism Institutions and 2 Pancasila Ecotourism Institutions.

This training presented 5 resource persons from the Gunung Leuser National Park Center (BBTNGL), North Sumatra Province Culture and Tourism Office, Rumah Hijau Waste Bank, Sumatra Tropical Forest Journalism (STFJ) and Al Washliyah University, Medan

Mrs. Dr. Yayuk Yuliana, S.E., M. Si, Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Al Washliyah University Medan discussed the topic of tourist arrival levels in the last 5 years after the pandemic (2020). The material discusses 2 important factors that influence interest in revisiting, namelyperceived value (perceived value) andtourist service (services provided). These two factors can influence tourist satisfaction and increase interest in visiting again. These two factors will be implemented with the support of local communities who act as tour guides.

This activity was an initiation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Gunung Leuser National Park Center (BBTNGL). Aims to increase capacity, knowledge and understanding as well as motivate tourism managers as BBTNGL partners.