KnE Social Sciences

ISSN: 2518-668X

The latest conference proceedings on humanities, arts and social sciences.

Analysis of Wildlife Tourism Potential Using Camera Traps and Ecotourism at PT Restorasi Alam Hijau, Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province

Published date: Dec 03 2025

Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences

Issue title: The 5th International Conference on Tourism, Gastronomy, and Tourist Destination (TGDIC 2025)

Pages: 505 - 515

DOI: 10.18502/kss.v10i29.20292

Authors:

Sri Mariatisrimariati@iptrisakti.ac.idTrisakti Institute of Tourism, Jakarta

Kresna Dwipa SetyantoAberdeen University, Aberdeen

Ahmad BasariPT Restorasi Alam Hijau, Jakarta

Fachrul Husain HabibieTrisakti Institute of Tourism, Jakarta

Wijaya Pandu WicaksonoTrisakti Institute of Tourism, Jakarta

Abstract:

This research on the potential for wildlife tourism and ecotourism was conducted in the concession area of PT Restorasi Alam Hijau, East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The site is primarily an oil palm plantation interspersed with small forest patches that form a matrix connected to surrounding forests. The study examines opportunities to develop wildlife tourism and ecotourism in this concession, intending to integrate them into the company’s low-carbon ecotourism initiatives. Data were collected through camera trapping and direct observation, supported by previous studies. Wildlife data were analyzed using reference guidebooks for the identification of nationally and internationally protected species, while ecotourism potential was assessed using the 7A destination framework. The study found that this area has significant potential for developing wildlife tourism integrated with existing ecotourism activities. One of the key wildlife species suitable for such tourism is the Bornean Gibbon (Hylobates albibarbis). Wildlife monitoring using camera traps can also be promoted as an engaging activity. Furthermore, the findings highlight the potential to develop wildlife tourism that is integrated with low-carbon ecotourism initiatives at this site. The implications of this research extend to the creation of new tourism destinations in Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, and provide a basis for further studies on integrating wildlife tourism with low-emission ecotourism.

Keywords: tourism, wildlife, potential, ecotourism, tourism integrated, low emissions

References:

[1] Lohman D, de Bruyn M, Page T, von Rintelen K, Hall R, Ng P. Biogeography of the indo-Australian archipelago. Annu Rev Ecol Evol Syst [Internet]. 2011;42(1):205–26. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102710-145001

[2] Gursky SH, Supriatna J. Tourism and Indonesia’s primates: An introduction. In: Ecotourism and Indonesian Primates. Springer; 2024. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14919-1

[3] Rhee S, Kitchener D, Brown T, Merrill R, Dilts R, Tighe S. Report on biodiversity and tropical forests in Indonesia. 118/119; 2004 Feb 20. Prepared for USAID/Indonesia.

[4] The International Ecotourism Society. What is Ecotourism? [Internet]. 2015. Available from: https://ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism/

[5] Higginbottom, K., and Tribe, A. Contributions of wildlife tourism to conservation in wildlife tourism impacts. management, and planning Edited by Hihhinbottom, K. Common Ground Publishing Pty Ltd. 2004.

[6] World Tourism Organization. UNWTO tourism highlights. Global code of ethics in tourism. Madrid: UNWTO; 2014.

[7] Honey M. Ecotourism and sustainable development: Who owns paradise? 2nd ed. London: Island Press; 2008.

[8] Fennell DA, Butler RW. A human ecological approach to tourism interactions. Int J Tourism Res [Internet]. 2003;5(3):197–210. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.428

[9] Swarbrooke J, Beard C, Leckie S, Pomfret G. Adventure tourism: The new frontier. London: Butterworth Heinemann; 2003.

[10] Nasa M, Hassan F, Ghuangpeng S. Examining destination attractiveness through tourist perspectives at Phu Kradueang National Park, Thailand. Eur Proc Soc Behav Sci [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2020.03.03.18

[11] Estrada A, Garber P, Mittermeier R, Wich S, Gouveia S, Dobrovolski R, et al. Primates in peril: The significance of Brazil, Madagascar, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo for global primate conservation. PeerJ [Internet]. 2018;6:e4869. Available from: https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4869

[12] Lekgau RJ, Tichaawa TM. Community participation in wildlife tourism in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Tour Rev Int [Internet]. 2020;25:139–55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3727/154427220X16059054538746

[13] Giampiccoli A, Mtapuri O, Jugmohan S. Community-based tourism and animals: Theorising the relationship. Cogent Soc Sci [Internet]. 2020;6(1):1778965. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2020.1778965

[14] Stone MT, Nyaupane GP. Protected areas, wildlife-based community tourism and community livelihoods dynamics: Spiraling up and down of community capitals. J Sustain Tour [Internet]. 2017;26(2):307–24. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1349774

[15] Kredens C, Vogt CA. A user-generated content analysis of tourists at wildlife tourism attractions. Front Sustain Tour [Internet]. 2023;2:1090749. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/frsut.2023.1090749

[16] Giampiccoli A, Mtapuri O, Jugmohan S. Community-based tourism and animals: Theorising the relationship. Cogent Soc Sci [Internet]. 2020;6(1):1778965. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2020.1778965

[17] Pratiwi P, Rahayu PS, Rizaldi A, Iswandaru D, Winarno GD. Persepsi masyarakat terhadap konflik manusia dan gajah Sumatera (Elephas maximus sumatranus Temminck 1847) di Taman Nasional Way Kambas. J Sylva Lestari [Internet]. 2020;8(1):98–108. Available from: https://doi.org/10.23960/jsl1898-108