The intersection between knowledge, government support, and technological support in ecotourism entrepreneurship

Students will be prepared to become a milestone in the progress of a country, one of which is by creating new jobs as a counter to the negative impact of AI and technological advances. The desire to become an ecotourism entrepreneur is one manifestation of this statement. This study analyses how the latent variables of procedures, formalities, difficulties opening a business; financial constraints; technological support; government support; and challenges in starting an ecotourism business affect the desire for ecotourism entrepreneurship. The research method is a quantitative descriptive approach through the SEM-PLS analysis technique. Data collection used a questionnaire with 51 questions distributed online through G-Form to 346 active student respondents throughout Indonesia. The results of the study show that the latent variables of procedures, formalities, and difficulties in opening a business; financial constraints; technological support; government support; and challenges that will be faced in starting an ecotourism business have a significant favourable influence on both directly and indirectly on the desire for student ecotourism entrepreneurship. The high desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship is influenced by the support of green technology that can attract students’ attention. Student awareness of ecotourism continues to increase by committing to innovate to create fundamental business ideas.


Introduction
Tourism is a sector that has begun to recover since the post-Covid-19 endemic [1].UNWTO said international tourism revenues recovered by USD 1 trillion in 2022 and reached 64% of pre-pandemic levels.Looking at this, the tourism sector also has a derivative sector that has the potential to be developed after the pandemic, namely ecotourism [2].Ecotourism is an expansion of nature-based tourism and local wisdom [3].Wamenparekraf stated the potential for ecotourism to be developed as a unique sellling point for tourism and creative economy for the sustainability of the environment and economy of the community.The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandianga Uno, has prepared a program that supports the development of ecotourism under the name Towards Climate Positive Tourism Through Decarbonization And Eco-Tourism which was inaugurated on July 7, 2022.This program carries three main points including, the launch of a platform that will be used to conduct carbon offsets; the launch of five areas designated as pilot projects; and the declaration of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in reducing carbon emissions in the tourism sector.To support the 2 success of this program, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy collaborates with various parties including digital startups Jejak.in,Indecon, WiseSteps, and a number of institutions such as the Ministry of LHK, Ministry of Finance, and the Coordinating Ministry of Ministry and Investment, and various local governments.
The ecotourism sector is interesting to discuss considering the concept of nature-based tourism to welcome a sustainable economy and environment.The ecotourism sector is a new sector that should be studied by young people, especially for students who have a tendency to start entrepreneurship.The development of the ecotourism sector is also in line with the current world goal of reducing carbon emissions that cause global warming and climate change [4].This is also supported by the statement that 1/5 of global carbon emissions are attributable to transportation.Tourism that is not nature-based tends to rely on the transportation sector in all its activities.So, the presence of ecotourism that is more environmentally friendly can contribute to reducing carbon emissions.Ecotourism is also related to the creation of a green economy [5].A green economy is a new form of economy that is market-oriented, based on traditional industrial economics, and aimed at harmony between the economy and the environment [6].This shows that national economic development is directed at meeting the needs, protection, and health of the human environment.As one of the main community-oriented industries, tourism is essential to increase the demands of green economic development [7].Therefore, making nature-based ecotourism is very necessary [8].Currently, many studies have made a comprehensive analysis from an in-depth perspective related to the development of ecotourism [9].Some researchers also examine the impact of ecotourism development on people's eating habits, kinship, women's status, national awareness and moral behavior [10], [11], [12], [13], [14].Other studies also discuss the role of ecotourism in poverty alleviation, tourism empowerment, [15] community support [16], [17] quality of life of residents [18], and seasonality and instability of tourism [19], [20].
Departing from the explanation above, the younger generation is considered worthy to be involved in carrying out the concept of ecotourism towards a green economy in accelerating the achievement of national SDGs.The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy also supports the proposal by trying to encourage 4.4 million jobs in 2024.The younger generation has an important role, by becoming entrepreneurs and opening jobs.The younger generation in this study refers to the remaining 17 to 40 years, or those who are in the millennial and Z generations.Generation Z as the first generation to gain internet progress will be more conceptualized in the world of digital entrepreneurship.This has the potential to provide a good change in developing nature-based ecotourism businesses [21].While the millennial generation with its characteristics to continue to adapt and be open to suggestions or criticisms with the environment is also suitable for developing ecotourism business [22].Furthermore, Indonesia itself is also expected to achieve a demographic bonus in 2030.In that year, the productive age will be much greater than the non-productive age.Referring to this, encouraging the younger generation to become ecotourism entrepreneurship since now has become a must.
On that basis, this paper aims to further analyze how students' perceptions in starting an ecotourism business with the concept of green economy.Based on the interests of all stakeholders in tourist destinations, this paper makes exploratory research on the factors that influence the desire of the younger generation in starting an ecotourism business.The factors taken include variable procedures, formalities, and difficulties in opening a business; financial constraints; technological support; government support; and challenges that will be faced in starting an ecotourism business.Finally, through quantitative research methods, it can be known and analyzed about the direct and indirect influence of these variables on the desire of the younger generation, namely students, in starting ecotourism entrepreneurship.This research not only provides a reference to evaluate about the interest of the younger generation in ecotourism, but also contributes to the development of ecotourism and green economy for Indonesia, thus making an important contribution to national sustainable development.

Materials and methods
This research uses quantitative methods with a descriptive approach.Quantitative research with a descriptive approach is a form of research strategy through problem formulation to explore or identify social situations to be studied holistically.To obtain valid quantitative data according to the topic of the problem, questionnaires were distributed to active students as millennials and Z generations to answer statements related to the desire to start student ecotourism entrepreneurship.
In this study, researchers reviewed the literature on variables that influence the driving factors for starting ecotourism entrepreneurship including procedural variables, formalities, and difficulties opening a business; financial constraints; technological support; government support; and challenges that will be faced in starting an ecotourism business.The researcher then uses the results of this review to lay the foundation of a behavioral model using Structural Equations, with Partial Least Squares (PLS) as the method of choice.Thus, the main objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between the variables of desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship; procedures, formalities, and difficulties of opening a business; financial constraints; technological support; government support; and challenges that will be faced in starting an ecotourism business.The researcher makes ten hypotheses to describe the causal relationship between latent variables, namely H1: Government support affects the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship; H2: Government support affects financial constraints on starting ecotourism entrepreneurship; H3: Technology support affects the desire to start entrepreneurshipa; H4: Financial constraints affect the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship; H5: Financial constraints affect the challenges in starting ecotourism entrepreneurship; H6: Procession, Formalities, and Business registration rules affectthe desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship; H7: Procedures, and Business registration rules affect technologysupport variables.H8: Business registration rules, formalities, and rules affect the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship through variable technology support.
H9: Government support affects the challenges of starting ecotourism entrepreneurship through financial constraints.
H10: Government support affects the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship through financial constraints

Population, Respondent Sample, and Research Instruments
The population in this study is active students in universities throughout Indonesia.Students were chosen because they were able to represent the millennial generation and generation Z who were in the age range of birth 1980-2010.Respondents were selected based on the results of data collection as many as 346 randomly at universities in Indonesia.With regard to data collection, researchers designed and provided five alternative answer choices using the Likerts scale.There were 51 statements in the questionnaire instrument distributed to respondents.

Data Analysis
Before data analysis is carried out, the questionnaire is first analyzed for validity and reliability to assess the quality of the questionnaire.Because the Likerts scale is a type of ordinal scale, it is first converted into an interval scale through MSI in order to obtain valid results in the SEM-PLS analysis.A set of instrument items is considered to satisfy the construct reliability criterion if it has an internal consistency of Cornbach Alpha equal to or greater than 0.70.However, for such exploratory research as with this study, as long as the Cronbach Alpha value is greater than 0.60 it is accepted and meets the construct reliability requirements [23].The next criterion is to assess the validity of the instrument item.An item is declared eligible for construct validity if its correlation with the total construct items is equal to or greater than 0.30 as the lowest threshold [24].In testing the validity and reliability of questionnaires from a total of 51 instrument items, 34 of them were identified as reliable and valid for use.After reliability and validity analysis to test the quality of the questionnaire, researchers continued the analysis and data processing through the PLS method to test the research hypothesis.

Respondent Profile
The majority of respondents were at the age of 19 years, namely as many as 161 respondents or 4, 6.53%.While the minority of respondents were in the age range of 16 years, ages 2, 5-16 years, and ages 40 years, each of which was 1 respondent or 0.29%.Furthermore, respondents with the age of 17 years as many as 3 people or 0.86%.Of the 251 respondents, the majority of respondents were women, namely 271 respondents or 7.8.32%.While the male gender minority is as many as 75 respondents or 21.67%.
The majority of respondents came from Malang State University, which was as many as 163 people or 47 [25].The larger alphas and smallest values are each found in the government support variable with variables of procedures, formalities, and entrepreneurial rules of 0.924 and 0.728.In addition, all questionnaire items on each variable have a correlation value of more than 0.30 which shows this construct is measured reliably [26].Referring to the analysis of validity and reliability, the researcher concluded that the questionnaire in this study is feasible to be used in the final data processing.Outer model analysis is used to represent the causal relationship between latent variables and their variable indicators.In an outer model analysis, all items in the model reflect each of its constructs [27].

Outer Model Analysis
6 Researchers analyze through Composite Reliability (CR) and extracted mean variance (AVE) for each latent variable and evaluate the factors and their significance for each indicator [28].The construct has internal consistency if AVE is 0.50 or more than 0.50 and CR is 0.708 or more than 0.708.In addition, the loading factor for all on a given specification construction should be significant.Referring to the threshold value requirements and guidelines, to obtain the results of the outer model analysis, the SmartPLS 4.0 media boostrapping procedure is applied, the details of which are in table 2 above.Table 2 above shows six variables of willingness to start ecotourism entrepreneurship; procedures, formalities, and difficulties of opening a business; technological support; government support; and challenges that will be faced in starting an ecotourism business that has an AVE value of more than or equal to 0.50.While the financial constraint variable has an AVE value of less than 0.50, which is 0.485.Analysis of the Composite Reliability (CR) of all variables in the model is greater than 0.708 as the recommended value.Although the AVE is slightly smaller than 0.50, there is convergent validity in the reliability of the financial factor variable composite of 0.821 which is considered to have met the recommended threshold requirements.Furthermore, all six variables for this model have significant or quasi-significant loading factors.So, based on this, researchers concluded that the structure in the model is worth analyzing.

Inner Model Analysis
The inner model represents the causal relationship between related latent variables [28].The process of analyzing the inner model using PLS is assumed as an independent distribution for the variables in the model.Inner model assessment is carried out by applying non-parametric techniques through bootstrapping procedures.The model assessment step is to evaluate the AVE and coefficient of determination (R2) of endogenous latent variables with a minimum number of indicators of 2 items, the significance of the path value and the Goodness of Fit (GoF) model [29].Table 3 below lists the number of indicators of latent variables in the research model.Government Support 9 0.622 By using the calculation of the Goodness of Fit (GoF) test, the researcher uses the formula described by Tenenhaus (2005) as follows [30].
= (   2 ) 0.5 By calculating the values of AVE and R2 to calculate the equation, the researcher gets a GoF value of 0.179.This value according to the researcher is sufficient to conclude the model is good enough to study the causal relationship between the desire to start an ecotourism entrepreneurship; procedures, formalities, and difficulties of opening a business; financial constraints; technological support; government support; and challenges that will be faced in starting an ecotourism business.A structural model with estimates for this relationship is shown in Figure 3.

Discussion
Based on the results of the analysis on the inner and outer models as well as the significance test through boostrapping, it is concluded as follows.

Analysis Hypothesis
The first hypothesis or H1 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the variables of government support for the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship.Government support, especially in incentives and business credit loans, can certainly provide assistance for novice entrepreneurs in the field of ecotourism.Good government support in moral and material terms will increase one's desire for entrepreneurship.Currently, the younger generation, including students, has the prospect of creating heroes in the future [31].Ecotourism entrepreneurship can be the choice of chosen field.This is because, ecotourism efforts are supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to welcome the achievement of SDGs and towards a green economy.So that with enough The second hypothesis or H2 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the variablesof government support for financial factors in starting ecotourism entrepreneurs.The variables of financial factors starting ecotourism entrepreneurship include perceptions of capital as the main factor in ecotourism entrepreneurship, BIP of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, KUR loans, and BPUP from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.Variable government support can drive financial factors in starting ecotourism entrepreneurs [32].This is in line with what is stated in the instrument where government support can be in the form of incentives or business loans [33].Thus, government support will affect financial factors in starting ecotourism entrepreneurs.In fact, capital in building a business is not only provided by the government but also from various parties including investors or colleagues and family.
The third hypothesis or H3 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the variables of technological support and the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship.Technology support will certainly increase students' desire for entrepreneurship.The majority of respondents are known to be at the age of 19 years.It is identified as Generation Z or the first generation to experience the internet and digital technology [34].Support readiness and smoothness of information technology will provide comfort for start-up entrepreneurs in running their business [35].This will increase the desire of students as a young generation with a digital spirit to start entrepreneurship.With the support of technology, it will facilitate the process of marketing, promotion, and transportation.Especially after the pandemic, domestic and foreign tourists prefer to relax in a beautiful natural environment.Thus, entrepreneurship in the field of ecotourism should be considered by students in starting an entrepreneur.
The fourth hypothesis or H4 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between financial factor variables and the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship.Financial factors influence the desire to start entrepreneurship.The existence of incentives and difficult business loans from the government will hinder novice entrepreneurs, namely students in ecotourism entrepreneurship [36].Considering that ecotourism business like this also requires a lot of capital.Business maintenance costs, maintenance, promotions, employees, tour guides, and other equipment are also taken into consideration by entrepreneurs in starting an ecotourism business.Thus, financial factors such as business capital support, personal assistance, financial assistance from the government, or investors are variables that influence students' desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurship [37].
The fifth hypothesis or H5 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between financial factor variables to the challenges of starting an ecotourism entrepreneur.The challenges in starting an entrepreneur are not only related to finance but also morale and commitment in creating the business.However, financial factors also remain the main challenge felt by students if they want to start a new business [38].When financial factors are insufficient to start a business, the challenge of starting a business is also greater.Likewise, when financial factors are sufficient and stable, the challenge of starting a business is getting smaller.Students if they want to open an ecotourism business need to pay attention to the obstacles in opening a business, not only about financial factors but also mental readiness and commitment to continue to innovate in their business.
The sixth hypothesis or H6 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between procedural variables, formalities, and business registration rules on the desire to start an ecotourism entrepreneur.The procedures, rules, and formalities of establishing an ecotourism business are related to the desire to start an entrepreneur.The requirements, permits, and procedures for establishing an ecotourism business also affect young entrepreneurs in opening an ecotourism business.The Indonesian government has provided easy access for business licensing in digital networks.But paractic, there are still areas that have not been touched by digital networks or even set business establishment rules that are difficult for young entrepreneurs to open a business.In this case, the business establishment procedure should be carried out in one door so that there are no differences in services.However, procedures like this also need attention, especially for prospective young entrepreneurs who lack internet access in their area.If the procedures, formalities, and rules for business establishment are clear, measurable, easy, and precise, then the desire of students as a young generation to establish an ecotourism business can increase [39].The seventh hypothesis or H7 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between procedural variables, formalities, and business registration rules to technology support.Variable procedures, formalities, and business rules also affect technology support.When the business establishment procedure is easy, clear, and measurable, technology support will also be high.Technology support in this study is in the form of readiness of information technology facilities in creating ecotourism businesses.This initiates the influence of business establishment formalities in supporting business information technology.Thus, policies in the requirements for opening a business are also important points that must be considered by the government, especially this relates to information technology facilities provided for prospective young entrepreneurs in setting up their businesses [40].
The eighth hypothesis or H8 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the variables of procedures, formalities, and business registration rules on the desire to start an ecotourism entrepreneur through variables supporting technology.As explained earlier, if the procedures and licensing of ecotourism businesses are clear, directed, one-stop, the desire of students as prospective young entrepreneurs will also increase.This can happen because the feeling of security and comfort in setting up a business also affects the mentality of young entrepreneurs.If from the beginning of the establishment procedure it is difficult, young generation will choose to withdraw or continue to wait.It should also be noted that the younger generation, especially generation Z, likes something practical through digital media [41].So, that transformation and adjustment in the establishment of ecotourism businesses are deemed necessary to refer to these reasons.
The ninth hypothesis or H9 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the variable of government support for the challenge of starting an ecotourism entrepreneur through the variable of financial factors.Financial factor variables become mediating variables or connecting indirect influence of government support variables on the challenges of starting ecotourism entrepreneurs.Government support indirectly affects the challenge of starting an ecotourism entrepreneur.This can happen given the low government support, the more severe the challenges that must be faced by novice entrepreneurs in starting their businesses [42].Through financial factors, the challenge of starting an ecotourism business will increase [43].In this case, there is a positive relationship between government support for the challenges of starting an ecotourism business.Thus, student respondents agreed that the challenges of starting an entrepreneur have been adequately managed both from internal and external factors such as the government, investors, or family.
The tenth hypothesis or H10 shows that there is a significant positive relationship between the variable of government support for the desire to start an ecotourism entrepreneur through the variable of financial factors.The variable of financial factors becomes a mediating variable or a liaison of indirect influence of government support variables on the desire to start an ecotourism entrepreneur.The government not only provides moral and material support but also skills training for students who want to start entrepreneurship.The low interest of ecotourism entrepreneurs in Indonesia could be due to the lack of socialization and training that supports their understanding of ecotourism [44].In addition, in educational institutions, material related to ecotourism is contained in several social and humanities courses.If the material can be accessed easily through transdisciplinary, students' understanding of ecotourism will increase.With this happening, the desire to start an ecotourism business will increase.Financial support also mediates government support for the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurs.Easy and sufficient capital loans in establishing a business will increase the desire to start ecotourism entrepreneurs among students [45].

Ecotourism Business Based on Green Economy Towards SDGs
Human well-being to sustain life ultimately depends on nature's ability to provide some basic resources [46].Humans rely on clean water and air and a climate good enough to support life; fertile and productive land, rivers and seas for food sources; mineral and energy sources to drive the economy.In a world where natural resources are increasingly scarce, the social costs of pollution and climate change are on the rise, and ecosystems that support life are threatened, the sustainability of human well-being is fundamentally threatened.No single country can consider economic growth as a separate goal on its own.Instead, countries need to recognize the undeniable interdependence between economic growth, environmental sustainability and social progress [47].Leaders must take action across all aspects of policy, planning and investment decisions.The way forward for Indonesia and the global community in this regard must be integrated, using a green economic growth approach, based on strategies that simultaneously seek solutions to reduce poverty, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic growth [48].
Green Indonesia achieved a per capita income of USD 32,000, population growth has been evenly distributed, and its population of 315 million is educational, healthy, and economically productive, ranking 10% of the global Social Progress Index.Ecosystem services are valued and sustainable in both urban and rural areas, which are highly interdependent and resilient to climate change and other disturbances.Under the concept of green economy, sustainable business models have become an important direction for the development of various industries in today's society [49].Sustainable development refers to development that meets current human needs without jeopardizing the well-being of future generations.Sustainable development can be explained from social, ecological and economic aspects [50].Sustainable development and economics are inseparable systems.By adhering to the concept of sustainable development, society not only pursues economic development, but also protects natural resources and the environment.The essence of sustainable development is development, and the premise is to strictly control the population, improve the quality of the population, protect the environment and realize sustainable use of resources [51].Therefore, realizing economic development with the concept of sustainable development is one of the important tasks of today's society and the inevitable result of the green economy is to protect the environment and realize sustainable use of resources [52].

Conclusions
Based on hypothesis testing from data analysis, 346 respondents had the perception that procedural variables, formalities, and difficulty opening a business; financial constraints; technological support; government support; And the challenges that will be faced in starting an ecotourism business have a significant positive effect on the desire for ecotourism entrepreneurship.The government can bridge the improvement of students' capabilities and abilities, especially in the ecotourism business sector.However, the main element is not only the government but the younger generation, especially students, by raising awareness of the environment and ecotourism.This certainly encourages entrepreneurial committees in the ecotourism sector so that they are not only managed by local communities but also the younger generation.Students as the younger generation who are expected to be part of the demographic bonus of Indonesia in years 2030 need to be carefully prepared, both morals and abilities are not available except in developing businesses or businesses in the ecotourism sector.The government and the younger generation are also expected to synergize with each other in order to realize a green economy to achieve national SDGs through the concept of increasing entrepreneurship and ecotourism.

Table 1
above shows 6 latent variables in the model that have alpha coefficient values greater than threshold values

Table 2 .
Outer model analysis result.