Community-Based Strategies for Ecotourism Planning and Marketing at Paragliding Hill, Balong, Ponorogo

Abstract

Paragliding tourism represents a form of nature-based sports tourism that utilizes wind currents and hilly landscapes, attracting visitors since 2019. However, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic, visitor numbers significantly declined due to lockdown policies, and limited promotion led to stagnation in the management of the Tatung Paragliding site. This study aims to analyze planning and marketing strategies for community-based ecotourism development at Tatung Paragliding Hill, Balong, Ponorogo. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed to explore the planning and marketing aspects of the site. The development of Tatung Paragliding Ecotourism requires an integrated strategy that incorporates SWOT analysis to identify potential and challenges across key components such as attraction, accessibility, amenities, and supporting services. To achieve sustainability, natural potentials must be optimized, paragliding activities should be promoted more widely, and local community involvement needs to be strengthened. Challenges including limited infrastructure, suboptimal digital promotion, and seasonal dependency should be addressed through stakeholder collaboration, community capacity building, and the use of digital media in marketing efforts. The findings conclude that the development of Tatung Paragliding Ecotourism requires synergy between local communities and tourism managers through well-structured planning and marketing strategies, supported by continuous evaluation aligned with current ecotourism needs.