Why Central Sulawesi's Generation Z Choose Ecotourism for Nature, Not Status

Image: article cover, from Rif'an et al. (2024), Jurnal Wasian, licensed CC BY 4.0.

Generation Z in Central Sulawesi are motivated to visit ecotourism areas chiefly by natural beauty and the desire to escape routine, rather than to raise their social status. These findings come from research by Rif'an Afief of the Central Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Fadjri Maarif of the Lore Lindu National Park Authority, and Delima Ayu Gustina Situmorang of the Togean Islands National Park Authority, published in Jurnal Wasian Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024).

The respondents were aged 11 to 27 and lived across 12 regencies and cities in Central Sulawesi Province. According to the study, internal motivation was slightly more dominant than external motivation, by a margin of 0.23 per cent. Natural attraction was the strongest external driver, while social-status motivation scored lowest. The research team noted that Generation Z prefer unspoilt natural settings, fresh air and new experiences over luxury facilities. However, the study also found that Generation Z's understanding of conservation values and environmental sustainability remains limited. Improved facilities and service quality are seen as ways to enhance their perception of ecotourism.

For managers of conservation areas in Central Sulawesi, these findings point to an opportunity to reach younger generations through promotion centred on natural beauty and first-hand experience. Yet without an adequate understanding of conservation, their support for forest preservation may prove fragile. The study concludes that better-developed ecotourism can strengthen motivation and perception, thereby increasing Generation Z's participation in ecotourism with positive impacts.

Source and how to cite

This story is based on the research article Understanding Generation Z's Ecotourism Motivation and Perception in Central Sulawesi by Afief Rif'an, Fadjri Maarif and Delima Ayu Gustina Situmorang, published in Jurnal Wasian Vol. 11 No. 2 (2024). The full article is free to read on the Jurnal Wasian website.

Cite the original article (APA 7):

Rif'an, A., Maarif, F., & Situmorang, D. A. G. (2024). Understanding Generation Z's Ecotourism Motivation and Perception in Central Sulawesi. Jurnal Wasian, 11(2), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.62142/4wsdga12

If you use these findings in coursework, a thesis or other writing, cite the original article above, not this news story. The original article is licensed CC BY 4.0.