Main Article Content
Abstract
This study aims to develop a sustainable tourism package model for Kadingeh Tourism Village in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi, through the integration of environmental education and natural resource management. Kadingeh Village possesses remarkable ecological and cultural assets, including the Loko Panene karst cave, Tabang River, and the Manduk Patinna megalithic site. However, existing tourism practices remain limited to basic recreational activities with minimal attention to environmental learning and conservation. The research adopts a qualitative descriptive approach to explore local potentials, community participation, and educational strategies that can support the creation of an eco-edu-tourism framework. Data were collected through observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and documentation The findings reveal that the community’s strong sense of environmental stewardship, rooted in traditional ecological knowledge, plays a crucial role in sustainable tourism development. The integration of experiential learning activities—such as reforestation, waste management workshops, and river conservation projects—has fostered greater environmental awareness among visitors and residents alike. Collaboration with educational institutions has positioned Kadingeh as a “living classroom” for sustainability learning, enhancing both eco-literacy and community capacity.involving community leaders, tourism managers, and local educators.
The resulting eco-edu-tourism model consists of four main components: environmental learning, cultural interpretation, community capacity building, and participatory governance. This model aligns with the principles of Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and Education for Sustainability (EfS), promoting a balance between ecological preservation, cultural continuity, and economic empowerment. The study contributes to both theory and practice by demonstrating how localized environmental education can drive behavioral transformation and strengthen sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. Ultimately, the Kadingeh model exemplifies tourism as a transformative educational experience—bridging recreation, conservation, and community development within the broader framework of sustainable tourism in Indonesia.