In order to support ecotourism development in the Tabo-Tabo Education and Training Forest, the Environment and Forestry Education and Training Center, the Environmental Generation Development Center and FORCLIME held a technical guidance session on the Development of Eco Edu Tourism in the forest area and its surroundings at the Tabo-Tabo Education and Training Forest Campus from 26 - 28 July 2022. The objective of this activity was to increase the capacities of stakeholders so that they will be able to manage eco-tourism in an environmentally friendly manner within the Tabo-Tabo area. The training session was attended by 30 participants who were representatives of the Tourism Village Forest Farmers Group (Deswita), as well as field assistants from BD LHK Makassar, members of the Tinambung Forest Farmers Group in Bisoloro-Gowa Village and the Tabo-Tabo Village Government. The resource personnel for this training session comprised BD LHK Makassar, the Center for Social Forestry and Environmental Partnerships (BPSKL) for the Sulawesi Region, FORCLIME, tourism managers working in Bisoloro and consultants from the East Java Ecotourism Forum (EJEF).

The materials presented during this technical guidance session encompassed:
• Government policies on the development of ecotourism.
• Institutional management of ecotourism.
• Management of ecotourism areas.
• Development of ecotourism products.
• Marketing of ecotourism products.
• Preparation of action plans.

On the second day of the session, participants visited and spoke with community-based ecotourism managers in Bisoloro Village, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi. On the final day of the session, participants identified the support needed in order to follow up on the technical guidance, which include the following:
• The Deswita group requires mentors, particularly BD LHK Makassar empowerment facilitators.
• A cooperation agreement should be prepared in order to ensure legal certainty in relation to the development of ecotourism in Tabo-Tabo.
• Capacity building (including training, internships and mentoring) should be developed for Deswita members in relation to various aspects of ecotourism.
• An ecotourism development plan should be drawn up for the village of Tabo-Tabo.
• Signposts are required in order to support the promotion of ecotourism in Tabo-Tabo.
• A working secretariat should be put in place for ecotourism development purposes.

For more information, please contact:
Daniel Maertz, Adviser for Adult Education and Training
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development