The Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as “a responsible travel to natural areas which conserves

the environment and improves the welfare of local people” (Western, 1993). Ecotourism in its
Indonesian version (Dirjen Bangda Depdagri, 2000) is defined as activities of responsible travelling in
intact areas (daerah alami) or in areas which are named according to kaidah alam (the role of nature),
the purpose of such activities being to enjoy natural beauty, involves education, understanding, and
supports conservation, as well as increases the income of the local communities.

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, consisting of more than 17 000 islands. The country is
5000 km long, located around the Equator between Asia and the Australian continent, and between
the Pacific and Indian oceans. . Indonesia is the second-most biodiversity country after Brazil (Primack
et al., 1998). The diversity of flora, fauna and their ecosystems, as well as the diversity of culture, are
potential attractions for the development of ecotourism in the country. Ecotourism is one of tourism
are environmentally sound by prioritizing aspects conservation of nature, the empowerment aspect
social and cultural local community economic and the aspect of learning and education. Ecotourism is
an effort to maximize while preserving the potential natural resources and culture local community
easy as sources of income sustainable.

For example, Taman Nasional Tanjung Putting (Kalimantan): Development of ecotourism in Tanjung
Putting National Park was undertaken by Kalpataru Adventure between 1990 and 1997. Development
of this site was based on the following considerations: (i) the site provides the highest possibility to
see orang utans and proboscis monkeys in Kalimantan; (ii) visitation was increasing; (iii) Tanjung
Putting had the potential to be a model for the development of ecotourism (Sudarto, 1999). The eight
eco-lodges in Tanjung Putting obtain 80% of their workers from the local community. The local
community gets income from various tourism activities: boat rental, supplying agricultural products,
selling handicrafts and guiding. Operational employees, besides getting a salary, also get service
charges and tips from the tourists. This encourages the locals to shift their activity from logging to
agricultural pursuits and conservation of the forest. The higher incomes as well as the vision they have
about their future encourages parents to send their children to school to obtain a better education
(Sudarto, 1999).

Also, ecotourism development in Bali started in the mid-to late 1980s by Ida Ayu Mas (from Sua Bali),
based on the Balinese philosophy of life (a dynamic, balanced and harmonic relationship between
humanity, spirituality and the environment). Ecotourism in Bali is very much supported by the Kehati
Foundation which provides money to empower communities to adopt ecotourism in their villages,
such as Pelaga-Belok Sidan, Sibetan, Tenganan and Ceningan. This initiative is likely to be able to slow
down the development of mass tourism (which is considered to cause destruction of nature and cause
social problems and, hence, work against sustainability) in those areas (Carroll and Turpin, 1997). In
order to achieve maximum impact, local values such as “Tri Hita Karana” (a harmonic and balanced
relationship among human beings, God and the environment) need to be adopted — not just
mentioned — in the development programs. Local values can be used more effectively if they are
supported by technical guidance and a legal framework which recognises them.

Ecotourism has not been optimally developed in Indonesia, something that could be done by utilising
its high potential (related to the diversity of its flora, fauna and culture). It is generally believed that
less than 5% of Indonesian tourism revenue comes from ecotourism (Gatot Sudarto, pers. comm.,
1998). The situation for marine ecotourism is even further lagging behind its potential. Most marine
resources utilised for development of tourism activities (snorkelling and diving) have not been
adopting ecotourism concepts, or the appropriate sites have not been opened up for tourism. Success
in empowering communities in developing marine ecotourism in Kepulauan Seribu (Jakarta) needs to
be complemented by other activities. Indonesian marine resources have great potential to be ultilised
in ecotourism activities (Sudarto, 1999).

Ecotourism is not just a tool for conservation. It should be used to promote the philosophy of
sustainable development (Sudarto, 1999). By involvement of, and economic benefits delivered to, the
local community, the sense of tourist developments belonging to the local community is realised. As
a result, the community’s participation in looking after the environment is much better than when it
is marginalised economically. There is also the influence of ecotourism on the attitude and actions of
the tourists. Hvenegaard and Dearden (1998) reported that in Thai National Parks ecotourists
contribute more to conservation than other tourism types.