Exploring community preference for urban forest ecotourism in Palangka Raya: The role of ecosystem service awareness for sustainable city

Abstract

This research explores community support for ecotourism programs in Himba Kahui Urban Forest, Palangka Raya, Indonesia. The urban forest, which offers numerous environmental services, is a vital component in the realization of a sustainable city. The community’s role dictates the urban forest’s function, including ecotourism. This study utilizes binary logit regression to measure community preference for the Urban Forest Ecotourism (UFE) program. Results showed significant positive impacts from Provisioning Services and Regulating Services, while Cultural Services had substantial negative impacts. The implication is that policymakers must consider community preferences for ecotourism programs, especially in urban forest management. This study contributes to understanding community awareness of ecosystem services and its implications on the sustainability of UFE management.