UNPAD and UTM Collaborate to Discuss Sustainable Tourism in Geopark Management
Widy
UNPAD Staff Writer
The Graduate School of Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD), in collaboration with the Faculty of Geological Engineering, successfully hosted an insightful online webinar as part of the Joint Summer Program 2023. The event, held on August 2, 2023, focused on the theme of “Sustainable Tourism” and featured renowned speakers from both Indonesia and Malaysia, who delved into the critical topic of sustainable geopark management.
The webinar welcomed two expert speakers:
Dr. Evi Novianti, S.Sos., M.Si from Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia, shared her insights on enhancing the competitiveness of Ciletuh Geopark through effective destination management. Her talk, titled “Enhancing Destination Competitiveness of Geopark Ciletuh through Effective Destination Management Organization: A Study on Best Practices and Challenges,” emphasized the importance of sustainable tourism practices in preserving the unique ecological and geological features of Ciletuh Geopark.
TPr. Dr. Norhazliza Abd. Halim from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), offered a comparative analysis of geopark management in Malaysia and Indonesia, with her presentation, “Tourism Destination Management for Geopark in Malaysia and Indonesia: A Comparison Study between Langkawi Geopark and Ciletuh Geopark, West Java.” Her insights highlighted the shared challenges and opportunities in managing geoparks as sustainable tourist destinations.
This event aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 15: Life on Land, as it emphasizes the need for sustainable management of natural resources, particularly in geopark areas that are valuable both ecologically and culturally. By discussing best practices for managing tourism in these sensitive areas, the event contributes to the broader goals of preserving biodiversity, promoting responsible tourism, and enhancing local livelihoods through sustainable development practices.
Moreover, the discussions reflect UNPAD’s commitment to SDG 13: Climate Action, as sustainable tourism and proper management of geoparks play a critical role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by protecting ecosystems and reducing carbon footprints in tourism activities.
Supported by UNESCO and various environmental and governmental organizations, this webinar underscores UNPAD’s dedication to fostering international collaboration and sharing best practices in the field of sustainable tourism, while simultaneously contributing to the global achievement of the SDGs.