The Role of Oral Traditions in Ecotourism Conservation in Indonesia and Japan

Abstract

As a background of this research, the oral tradition is an ancestral heritage that influences various aspects of a society's life as an identity of local wisdom. Apart from containing moral messages, oral traditions are often linked to the original character. Also, oral traditions cannot be separated from their role in the tourism industry. Many tourist objects are offered because they have fascinating oral traditions to attract tourists. The role of oral traditions in the tourism industry should be mapped to develop various sectors. This study aims to identify the role of oral traditions in developing ecotourism in Indonesia and Japan. The method used in this research is literature study and interviews. The result shows that in Indonesia and Japan, oral traditions still immensely attract tourists to come to the tourist spot. Many tourists who come to ecotourism spots want to enjoy vacation or to recover from any disease. This condition makes the government and the local civil conserve their ecotourism spot. In conclusion, this study indicates four roles of oral traditions in the development of ecotourism, namely as a means of attracting tourists' interest, as a means of developing tourist areas, as a means of developing tourism products, and as a means of developing human resources.