LESTARI Empowerment Framework for Community-Based Ecotourism Development at Curug Cisalada

Abstract

Community-based ecotourism development requires integrated assistance linking environmental planning, community capacity, governance, and destination promotion. This article describes the implementation of the LESTARI Program and proposes the LESTARI Empowerment Framework for Curug Cisalada, Ambarjaya Village, Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia. The program used a participatory approach involving 15 members of the tourism awareness group (Pokdarwis), the village government, lecturers, and students. Needs were identified through field observations, interviews, focus group discussions, and fishbone analysis, which informed four pillars: Environment, Strategy, Governance, and Integrated Promotion. Outputs included a masterplan and zoning plan, supporting environmental facilities, a Business Model Canvas, an internal Guide Safety assessment, organizational structure and operational procedures, and destination identity and digital promotional materials. BMC scores increased from 5.00 ± 0.76 to 8.73 ± 0.70; all 15 participants reached the internal Guide Safety threshold (≥8/10), and partner satisfaction averaged 4.88/5 (97.7%). These short-term outputs and outcomes were synthesized into the LESTARI Empowerment Framework, a problem-driven implementation framework that links interventions sequentially based on local needs. Long-term environmental, institutional, promotional, and economic impacts were not assessed and require follow-up.