Analysis of Ecotourism Potential Development in Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo Province

Abstract

Preservation of nature and local culture and local community involvement in tourism site management and taking into consideration their needs and interests are the core values of ecotourism. Pohuwato, one of the regencies in Gorontalo province is endowed with many tourism potentials, and thus, should be mapped to increase appreciation toward local culture by cultivating the traditional values and local wisdom among the society. This study aims at mapping the local ecotourism potential in the Pohuwato Regency. Survey, interview, and Geographic Information System methods are employed in this study. Further, scoring and descriptive methods are utilized to analyse the data obtained from the field. The analysis reveals that several sites and local wisdom are the potential to be further cultivated to attract tourists to Pohuwato such as Pohon Cinta Beach, Torosiaje the Bajaunese Village, Lahe Island, and Libuo Beach. This mapping will benefit the public and government in providing information and making it easier for visitors to get to know the ecotourism sites in Pohuwato regency and assist the development of Geopark Gorontalo.