Social Media Management Training for Ecotourism Managers in Gunung Leuser National Park, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
Writer : Claudina Sibarani, Programme Associate
Editor: Firra Kholisha Mustika, Communication
The Social Media Management Training was attended by the Batu Katak Ecotourism community group, for two days starting on August 30-31, 2022 at the Batu Katak Ecotourism Area, Batu Jongjong Village, Bahorok District, Langkat Regency. This training was enlivened by the arrival of the resource person, namely Mr. Marojahan Adrian Manalu who is the Director of Rumah Karya Indonesia. This activity is part of a program to strengthen the capacity of tourism Human Resources (HR) around area III of Gunung Leuser National Park.
On the first day, the activity began with an opening by the MC and the introduction of the speaker. The training immediately continued by explaining what social media management is. Social media management is a management process that is needed when using social media. Social media is one of the most widely used entertainment platforms today and is used as a means of promotion.
Participants learned how to use essential features on various social media. Then, the practice of uploading new posts about Batu Katak Ecotourism, by paying attention to the steps / rules that have been explained by the speaker. Participants are also free to show creativity in posting, both images and captions used. After posting, the speaker will give grades and evaluations to the participants. This is so that participants know what kind of posts can attract readers' interest.
On the second day, the material presented was to continue the functions and benefits of social media features. Participants were given an understanding of the function of social media features, especially instagram social media as the most widely used platform around the world. Participants were guided to upload photos/videos of Batu Katak Ecotourism using various available social media features such as the use of hashtag signs (#), at (@), and geotags on Instagram.
To help participants understand the form of good posts, the speaker gave examples of posts from various well-known accounts and explained what kind of concepts are used by some of these well-known accounts according to their goals. Participants will adjust the post to their goal, which is to promote Batu Katak Ecotourism. The results of the participants' posts are assessed by the speaker and evaluated together. The training continued by inviting participants to take advantage of the beauty and natural wealth around the training site.
The speaker then invited participants to take advantage of several photo and video editing applications to make pictures and videos more attractive. Participants showed high participation, this can be seen from the enthusiasm of the participants when looking for photo objects to produce interesting post photos. After determining the results of the photos to be uploaded, participants took advantage of the features and icons on Instagram social media that had been studied. The results of the post will be assessed and evaluated by the speaker.
Through this Social Media Management training, participants are expected to be able to know how to manage and utilize social media as a means of promoting tourism in Batu Katak Ecotourism Destinations.
Social Media Management Training, became part of the Ecotourism Digitization Project and Strengthening the Capacity of Ecotourism Actors in Gunung Leuser National Park, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra which was implemented by desma center.
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Digitalization of Ecotourism and Strengthening the Capacity of Ecotourism Actors in Gunung Leuser National Park, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, which is implemented by desma center, is a development project of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, in collaboration with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB), jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KfW.
The Ecotourism Digitalization program and Strengthening the Capacity of Ecotourism Actors consists of a series of training activities which include: (1) Guiding Tour Training (2) Itinerary Preparation and Tour Quotation Training (3) Service Excellence Training (4) Homestay Management Training (5) Culinary Training (6) Hygine &sanitation training (7) Financial Management Training (8) Social Media Management Training (9) Story Telling Training, Caption Writing, write Ecotourism Promotional Articles.
This project also facilitates (1) the implementation of CHSE certification in the tourist destination category, (2) business matching, (3) Fam trips (4) Stakeholders Networking, and (5) Development of a digital platform that will synergize tourism and creative economy businesses in the Gunung Leuser National Park Area in the Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
The Ecotourism Digitalization program and Strengthening the Capacity of Ecotourism Actors is aimed at providing solutions to market access challenges, connecting attractions and improving quality tourist products in the TNGL region III area. This is in line with the government's objectives contained in the National Medium-Term Plan for 2020 – 2024, the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy 2020 – 2024 and the National Tourism Development Master Plan 2010 – 2025.
