The surge in tourist interest in natural destinations post-pandemic brings new challenges for the tourism sector in Indonesia. While it presents an economic opportunity, there are deep concerns regarding the shifting direction of ecotourism, which is beginning to be distorted into a pure business commodity that ignores conservation aspects.
The Head of the Sociology Study Program at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Awan Setia Dharmawan, S.Sos., M.Si., emphasized the importance of returning ecotourism to its core principles of sustainability. According to him, the primary foundations of ecotourism include environmental conservation, ecological education for the community, and the empowerment of local residents, all of which must be protected from the dominance of capitalistic interests.
Awan highlighted the phenomenon where the success of a destination is often only measured by visitor numbers and regional revenue. However, excessive exploitation that exceeds the environmental carrying capacity will instead bring destructive impacts to the ecosystem in the long run. He stressed that indicators of ecotourism success should include environmental health, active involvement of local communities, and the growth of a collective awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources.
In line with the academic's view, the Batu City Government is now starting to strengthen tourism regulations based on *eco-tourism*. The policy focus applied includes integrating waste management systems, educational programs for visitors, and developing tourist villages that balance economic growth with ecological resilience.
The future of Indonesian ecotourism highly depends on cross-sectoral collaboration. All stakeholders, from tourism operators and tourists to the government, are expected to maintain consistency in sustainability principles so that Indonesia's natural wealth does not merely become an object of exploitation, but rather an instrument of dignified and long-lasting development.
