Youth Education in Self-Preparing as Marine Ecotourism Guide in Kepulauan Seribu

摘要

Marine Ecotourism is a form of tourism that still ensures the sustainability of the sea ecosystem. Tidung Island in the district of Kepulauan Seribu Selatan and Harapan Island in the District of Kepulauan Seribu Utara, has a different characteristics. However, both the islands intended as a tourist destination, as well as a conservation area. To ensure the sustainability of marine ecotourism, that the coastal ecosystems must be preserved. To understand the readiness of the school-age youth in marine ecotourism activities, interviews were conducted with some junior high school students in the two islands, along with training for monitoring the conservation of coastal ecosystems. Training activities include monitoring coral reef by using the Coral Health Chart, observing the condition of seagrass through Seagrass Watch method, and the introduction of mangrove ecosystems. The results show, Harapan Island that located farther from Jakarta mainland has a sea ecosystem that good quality. Most of the youth here is fisherman's children and ready to be prepared and involved in the marine ecotourism development. About 80% of them have a good ability in monitoring the coastal ecosystems. While the youth in Tidung Island, which is closer to Jakarta and has been developed as a tourist area for a while, are more expert in coastal tourism that tend to be recreational. Only 30% of them were prepared to do the monitoring of coastal ecosystems. It can be concluded that the younger generation on the islands farther from the city tend to be better prepared to involved in marine ecotourism development.