Strengthening the Role of Lake Toba Geopark as a Sustainable Tourism Destination Based on Conservation, Education, and Community Empowerment
Kata Kunci:
Geopark, Conservation, Education, Empowerment, Sustainable TourismAbstrak
This study explores the strategic role of the Lake Toba Geopark in advancing sustainable tourism by integrating three main pillars: conservation, education, and community empowerment. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis involving key stakeholders including local communities, geopark managers, and policy makers. The findings reveal that while conservation efforts have been initiated, they remain fragmented and lack integrated institutional collaboration. Educational programs are mainly targeted at tourists, leaving local communities with limited access to participatory knowledge-building initiatives. Community empowerment, though emerging, is still constrained by limited capacity building and market access. The study highlights the need for a holistic management model that links conservation, education, and community development to ensure long-term sustainability. This research contributes to policy discourse and offers practical implications for improving the governance of geoparks as sustainable tourism frameworks.
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