Indigenious People, Culture, And Traditions: A Catalyst For Ecotourism Development In West Java

Abstract

Culture and tradition are inherent in rural communities, both of which are the focus of indigenous people who have always been the center of attention of their communities, especially in the conservation of sacred ancestral heritage sites. Ecotourism is a form of tourism that combines tourism with ecological and cultural preservation. This type of tourism is believed to be the solution of mass tourism activities that have many negative impacts on the environment. This research highlights the role of culture, tradition, and local community’s participation which can be used as a catalyst in encouraging the development of ecotourism by case study approach. The results showed that the indigenous people of the Banceuy traditional village still preserved the customs inherited by their ancestors, which also attracted many tourists because they could provide authentic cultural experiences. Although modernization enters the rural environment, the preservation of culture and tradition and the participation of indigenous people can encourage the development of ecotourism that has a positive impact on people's welfare, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. This study recommends that facilitators who develop tourism in an area such as professional planners, consultants, local government, or non-profit organizations really need community participation to achieve success.