The Role of Tourism on a Geosites's Space Development Case: Watu Payung-Turunan Geoforest Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Geoforest Watu Payung-Turunan is a semi-production conservation forest in forest ecosystems in karst areas that are part of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network. However, this valuable affiliation has not brought any significant effect on geoforest's development. Meanwhile, the community independently provides tourism facilities by utilizing and changing space elements, particularly the semi-fixed elements. Therefore, semi-fixed elements are the most affected and affecting tourism development.

The research aims to comprehend the influence of tourism on space elements of the geosite. Researchers used a qualitative descriptive method to explore tourism development and its effects on space elements development through interviews, field observations, and literature reviews. This research proved that the semi-fixed elements are the most changing elements and determine the tourism space structure. The dynamics of tourism activities as non-permanent elements significantly affect the development of semi-fixed elements on geoforest.