Mobile GIS application for supporting edutourism at UNESCO global Geopark Batur Bali, Indonesia

Abstract

Edutourism is a tourism development model that combines fun and recreational tourism activities while still presenting educational values that can be done outside of school. UNESCO Global Geopark Batur, Bali, is one of the leading tourist attraction locations that can be developed to support edutourism activities., The COVID-19 pandemic has limited the public's ability to access geoparks and carry out edutourism activities. However, the number of internet users via smartphones in Indonesia continues to increase during the pandemic and encourages digital acceleration in all sectors, including education and tourism. This study aims to introduce and evaluate a mobile GIS application as a spatial data-based information media for the geopark area at UNESCO Global Geopark Batur Bali in a more exciting and informative way for edutourism. The study adopted ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) to develop and evaluate the mobile GIS application. The feature of the application provides edutourism itineraries, navigation, interpretive information, digital maps, guide route selection for users, geopark areas, geographical diversity, biodiversity, cultural diversity, tourist destinations, and geological disaster hazards map of the volcanic eruption of Batur. Additionally, the evaluation indicates that the application is categorized as appropriate to be used for edutourism purposes.