Water Tourism and Tubing at Curug Cisalada Set to Boost Sukabumi Tourism
The natural tourism potential in Sukabumi Regency has received another boost for development. Curug Cisalada in Ambarjaya Village, Ciambar District, is now being prepared as a community-based ecotourism destination offering water tourism and river tubing experiences, while opening new opportunities for improving the local economy through sustainable tourism management.
Surrounded by pristine waterfalls and clear river streams, Curug Cisalada holds great appeal for nature-loving tourists. However, the destination’s development still faces several challenges, ranging from area planning, strengthening the Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) institution, increasing human resource capacity, digital promotion, to supporting facilities.
To address this, the Trisakti University Community Service Programme (PKM) team, funded by a Bima Grant, has introduced the Lestari Programme (Integrated Environment, Ecotourism, Strategy, Governance, and Promotion). This programme serves as a community empowerment model that integrates environmental conservation with community-based tourism development.
Funded through the 2026 Bima Grant from the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service (DRTPM), the programme adopts a Community-Based Tourism (CBT) and Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, making the community the main actor in planning, managing, and developing the destination.
PKM Team Leader Dida Nurhaida stated that the entire series of activities was designed based on the needs of the local community. “This programme began with identifying community needs so that every intervention truly fits local conditions. The spirit of ‘From Analysis to Action’ serves as the foundation for translating study results into applicable empowerment programmes,” she said on Thursday (16/7/2026).
The PKM team, consisting of academics from various disciplines along with eight students, has been coordinating since April 2026 with the Ambarjaya Village Government and Pokdarwis. Entering June 2026, they conducted field surveys, observations, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to map the potential and needs for developing the tourist area.
The results of the study were realised through eight integrated programmes from June to July 2026. Activities included the preparation of a master plan and area zoning, a workshop on strengthening the Pokdarwis institution, business strategy training, safety-based tour guide training, development of a destination visual identity, digital promotion assistance, photography and videography training, and area management and cleanliness systems.
According to team member Fajar Rezandi, the preparation of the master plan is a crucial foundation for ensuring the tourist area’s development is well-directed. “The master plan and zoning serve as a reference for area development so that the construction of facilities, tourist paths, and supporting spaces proceeds in a directed and phased manner, while maintaining a balance between area utilisation and environmental conservation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pongky Adhi Purnama assessed that a destination’s competitiveness today is also determined by its ability to build an image in the digital space. “In the digital era, a tourist’s decision to visit often begins with what they see on social media. Therefore, a destination cannot rely solely on natural beauty but also needs a strong visual identity through a name, logo, and visual communication that represents the destination’s character,” he said.
In addition to strengthening promotion, the assistance programme is also directed at improving the quality of tourism services. Harris Effendi stated that the tourist experience is an important factor in building a destination’s reputation. “A good destination offers not only natural panoramas but also a safe, comfortable, and memorable tourist experience. For this reason, assistance is directed at improving service, tourism safety, and area management,” he said.
Ambarjaya Village Head Eman Suherman appreciated the collaboration between the university, the village government, and Pokdarwis in developing Curug Cisalada. “We appreciate the commitment of Trisakti University, which not only provides training but also assists the community from the planning stage to evaluation. We hope the Lestari Programme becomes a foundation for developing Curug Cisalada to improve community welfare and preserve the environment,” he said.
Assistance will continue until December 2026 through regular monitoring and evaluation. The focus of activities includes the implementation of the area master plan, strengthening Pokdarwis governance, digital promotion, improving the quality of tourism services, and managing cleanliness and supporting facilities.