Even after twelve years of studying and attempting to fully implement ecotourism, SUMECO’s business entities are still actively involved in conservation efforts through their ecotourism programs.
Ecotourism originated in the 1980s as a part of sustainable development, with the objective of channeling tourism revenue towards conservation and development initiatives. Despite lingering uncertainties surrounding the approach to implementation, ongoing deliberations persist among scholars and professionals regarding the precise definition and advantages of ecotourism. Further investigation is needed to thoroughly examine thirty years of ecotourism studies, with the objective of identifying concrete evidence of both successful and unsuccessful results.
The following trends were identified: Ecotourism is very often confused with outdoor recreation and other types of traditional tourism. Impact studies typically concentrate on ecological and social impacts, but rarely consider both. In addition, research often lacks time series data, so elaborations cannot determine long-term impacts on conservation, levels of biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, local governance, or other indicators. Based on the increasing pressure on natural areas and their inhabitants, ecotourism analysis needs to be improved comprehensively.
Protecting
Biodiversity
Bukit Lawang
SUMECO has chosen Bukit Lawang as its strategic location to carry out its conservation efforts in a small-scale and sustainable manner. Bukit Lawang is a renowned tourist destination, particularly favored by international visitors seeking to engage in jungle trekking to observe orangutans and other wildlife.
Bukit Lawang is a petite settlement located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, directly bordering the Gunung Leuser National Park, while Gunung Leuser National Park was previously granted two international designations: Biosphere Reserve in 1981 and World Heritage Site in 2004.
By profiting from various tour packages sold to foreign tourists through its websites, SUMECO that assisted by Gunung Leuser National Park have been able to save hundreds of animals that are part of the park’s biodiversity. This has been ongoing since 2012, following a lengthy and winding process.
SUMECO will persist in marketing its jungle tour packages in Bukit Lawang and neighboring villages adjacent to the Gunung Leuser National Park, offering the opportunity to observe various significant Leuser species, including Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran elephants, great argus, gibbons, birds, as well as herping tours to explore the realm of reptiles and amphibians.
Price:
- 1 day jungle trek, costs 70 EUR per person (min 2 people).
- 2 days 1 night jungle trek, costs 120 EUR per person (min 2 people).
- 3 days 2 nights jungle trek, costs 170 EUR per person (min 2 people).
- 4 days 3 nights jungle trek, costs 250 EUR per person (min 2 people).
- 5 days 4 nights jungle trek, costs 320 EUR per person (min 2 people).
