Rural tourism development using ecotourism as a model of community empowerment in Cireundeu indigenous village, Cimahi, West Java, Indonesia

摘要

Ecotourism, as a concept of sustainable tourism, is used in the development of rural tourism. Ecotourism concerns about the conservation of nature and culture, the participation of local residents, the transfer of knowledge to visitors, and the small scale of tourism to preserve the environment capability. The process of community empowerment through the development of rural tourism in Cireundeu was triggered by a discourse about the reactivation of Leuwi Gajah landfill. Objections to the landfill have been voiced, but they did not manage to cause the landfill to be inactive. Using a qualitative approach, this study describes the process of community empowerment through the development of rural tourism by raising the potentials of Cireundeu as an indigenous village. Cireundeu's culture is still maintained by its community. For instance, cassava is still consumed as a primary food, local arts and ritual Also ceremonies are still held. Cireundeu society is a subject in the process of empowerment by acquiring inputs from various parties.