Analysis of the feasibility of the Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism object, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province

Ecotourism is an embodiment of tourism activities that are focused on nature conservation, development and social, cultural and economic empowerment of the local community in the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism area. In order to optimally develop ecotourism in the region, a strategy for planning, utilization, control, institutional strengthening and community empowerment is needed by taking into account social, economic, ecological principles and involving stakeholders. This study aims to identify potential tourism objects and assess the level of feasibility of developing ecotourism objects for Sei Bah Bolon River Rafting Ecotourism, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province. Data collection during the research was carried out by collecting data by direct observation and interviews. The variables analyzed in this study refer to the ADO-ODTWA Director General PHKA 2003 Guidelines for Analysis of Operational Areas of Natural Tourism Objects and Attractions and the Potential Development Strategy with the SWOT Matrix. The potential objects and attractions of the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism get a feasibility level with an index of 88.17% feasible to be developed into ecotourism.


Introduction
Ecotourism is the implementation of responsible tourism activities in natural places and areas based on natural principles, which support efforts to preserve the environment (nature and culture), as well as improve the welfare of the local community [1].Ecotourism was seen as a green alternative of activity in tourism industry with widely open opportunity, which assumed to be able to increase the state and local government revenue, provide job opportunity, and give considerable multiplier effect [2].The attractiveness of ecotourism has encouraged several research to carry out studies on the feasibility of ecotourism, including a study of feasibility analysis on potential ecotourism of Riam Jito Waterfall in Kembayan District, Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan [3], analysis of ecotourism potential of Heart of Borneo in Betung Kerihun and Danau Sentarum National Parks, Kapuas Hulu District [4].
Rafting is an activity of rafting parts of a river channel that has rapids or ripples using certain vehicles.The definition of a vehicle in this case is a facility or tool consisting of rubber boats, kayaks, canoes and paddles.The purpose of rafting can be seen in tems of sports, recreation and expeditions [5].One of the water rafting destinations in North Sumatra is water rafting on the Bah Bolon Sipispis river, Serdang Bedagai Regency.The river channel which is the location for this rafting activity is the upstream of the Padang River which flows through Tebing Tinggi City.The Sei Bah Bolon river, which originates in Simalungun Regency, has unique and interesting characteristics.With a river difficulty level of 23 with a length of 14 km fording, this river offers a challenging experience for tourists.There are several rapids with different names [6].This study aims to identify potential tourism objects and assess the level of feasibility of developing ecotourism objects for Sei Bah Bolon River Rafting Ecotourism, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province.

Materials and methods
This research was conducted from June to July 2022 in the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism area, Buluh Duri Village, Sipispis District, Serdang Bedagai Regency, North Sumatra Province.The tools used in this study were stationery, digital cameras, and laptops.The materials used in this study were questionnaire sheets, maps of the administrative areas of the research locations (Figure 1), reports and previous research and various supporting literature as secondary data sources to help complement direct observations in the field.The population in this study were all visitors who came to visit.The research sample is part of the population taken as a data source and can represent the entire population.The sampling method used in this study was a purposive sampling method, where samples were taken from populations that were at least 17 years old.The determination of the number of samples in this study uses the slovin formula [7], which is as follows: Information: n = number of samples N = total population e = tolerance limit (0.1) The data collection method used in this study is as follows: 1.The survey method is data collection carried out by observation and interview methods.a.The direct observation method along the tracking road in the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism Area, objects that are considered potential and have attractiveness will be recorded.b.Structured interviews with respondents, namely tourists visiting the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism Area.The guide used during the interview is a questionnaire so that the questions will be more focused.
2. The library method is data collection that is done by reading literature, reports, scientific papers, and research results related to research.3. The documentation method is a data collection technique that is carried out by documenting sources in the field related to research objectives or from the results of publications by related government institutions or agencies.Data analysis was carried out using descriptive qualitative analysis method which is an analytical method with the aim of describing and explaining the potential of ecotourism objects in the area through the results obtained in the research.The method used in this research is direct observation in the field and interviews with ecotourism managers.The calculation of each indicator uses tabulation where the numbers are obtained from the results of the assessment.The weighting is based on the ADO-ODTWA (Analysis of Tourism Potency and Object of Natural Tourist Attraction) assessment by the Director General of PHKA in 2003.The total score for one assessment indicator for OTDWA can be calculated using the formula [8]: Information S = score/value of a criterion N = the number of values of the elements on the criteria B = value weight The score obtained from each indicator is then compared with the total score of an indicator.The score obtained from each variable will be found for the feasibility level using the following equation, feasibility index value of a tourist attraction [8]: After a comparison is made, a feasibility index in percent will be obtained.The feasibility index of an ecotourism area is as follows: a.The feasibility level > 66.6% indicates that an ecotourism area is feasible to develop.This is supported by high potential, facilities and infrastructure based on predetermined parameters and supported by adequate accessibility.b.The feasibility level of 33.3% -66.6% indicates that an ecotourism area is not yet feasible to develop.This is supported by the potential, facilities and infrastructure that are based on predetermined parameters and are supported by adequate accessibility.c.The feasibility level <33.3% indicates that an ecotourism area is not feasible to develop.This is because the potential for facilities and infrastructure is very low based on predetermined parameters and inadequate accessibility.
Analysis of Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism Development Strategy using the SWOT Method.SWOT analysis is the identification of various factors to formulate a strategy.This analysis is based on logic that maximizes Strengths and Opportunities, but can simultaneously minimize Weaknesses and Threats.The sample size to be taken refers to the Slovin formula according to the formula: the results of the questionnaire are then analyzed by giving weights and ratings to each criterion [9].

Characteristics of respondents
Respondents taken in this study were visitors who came for a tour of the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism.The number of respondents taken was 85 respondents, by determining the characteristics of the visitors who were used as respondents.The characteristics of visitors are important in research because by knowing the characteristics of visitors, researchers can easily determine visitors who can be used as respondents to this study.

Visitor age
The age of the respondents who were used as samples were visitors or local people aged 17 years and over.Tourists who make visits and are considered healthy (physically and spiritually), mature, and ready to communicate to convey something properly and well.Respondents are at least 17 years old who are considered adults and are able to analyze and make decisions so that research gets accurate answers from respondents [10].The results of research directly in the field can be seen from 85 visitors, the largest percentage level is at the age of 17-26 years, which is around 69%. From these results it can be seen that the average age of visitors who travel to Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Nature Tourism is a relatively young adult.Can be seen in Figure 2.  Based on Table 1.It can be seen that of the five levels of education, high school graduates or equivalent to high school level are the highest percentage, namely 54.11% of 85 respondents.D-3 graduates get the lowest percentage, namely 2.35%.

ODTWA potential in Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism
From the results of the research on the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism Area, there are several potential tourist objects, namely natural beauty, flora and fauna, waterfalls, natural relief and natural cliffs.Observation of potential objects and tourist attractions is carried out by direct observation in the Sei Rafting Ecotourism Area.Bah Bolon.Sei Bah Bolon Rafting has a good ecosystem with unique and beautiful natural conditions and can be used as an object and natural ecotourism attraction (ODTWA).One of the potentials of Sei Bah Bolon Waterfall can be seen in Figure 3.

Characteristics of the Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism area
Sei Bah Bolon Rafting is located in Buluh Duri Village, Kec.Sipispis, Kab.Serdang Bedagai.Sei Bah Bolon Rafting has a river length of approximately 16 km, with the characteristics of a shallow rocky river with grade 2-3, clear water and has quite a lot of rapids.Sei Bah Bolon Rafting has a stunning natural charm when wading through it, so that it makes visitors amazed by its natural beauty.Rivers with difficulty level I have flat and calm currents with a low level of risk and can self-rescue easily.Scale II has a low to medium level of difficulty, scale III has a medium level of difficulty where the rapids are irregular and can sink boats, level of difficulty IV is in the medium to high position and has very strong but still predictable currents, scale V has level of high difficulty rafting which is only suitable for professional rafters.Meanwhile, scale VI is the highest level of difficulty and it is almost impossible to raft [11].

Attractiveness
Attraction is the main component that makes an area attract tourists to visit and carry out tourism activities.The results of the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism attraction can be seen in Table 2.
Each tourist object has its own charm which is the hallmark of this natural tourism.Based on table 2. the results of the assessment of the attractiveness component in the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting area have a total score of 810.

Accessibility
Accessibility to the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism is an important factor in advancing ecotourism, because it makes it easier for visitors to come to the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism object.Based on Table 3. that, road conditions and the distance of the road from the city of Tebing Tinggi to the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism ± 22 km.The condition of the road to the location of the tourist attraction is quite good with paved roads and the travel time from Tebing Tinggi City is around 1 hour.From interviews with the surrounding community, it is known that the community is very supportive of efforts to develop the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting ecotourism.As well as with the development of ecotourism, the community also gets a positive impact by becoming tourism actors.Some people make their homes a place to live (home stay) and help the needs of visitors to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of ecotourism, and some people become skippers and rent out their vehicles to take visitors to the starting location of the rafting.It can be seen in Table 5 that the total score of the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism accommodation assessment is 135.Where there are 2 assessment criteria in this study, namely the number of lodging and number of rooms, apart from working as plantation employees the surrounding community also rents out his house as a temporary residence (homestay) for visitors who want to spend the night/stay.It can be seen in Table 6 that the total score of the supporting facilities and infrastructure is 300, where the infrastructure and supporting facilities for the Sei Bah Bolon Rafting Ecotourism are quite complete.Within a 15 km radius, supporting facilities such as restaurants, banks/ATMs, shopping centers, health centers and public transportation can be found.

Ecotourism safety
The security of tourist areas is closely related to the comfort of tourists and the sustainability of tourist areas.Even though a tourist area has various kinds of attractive objects, if the security conditions are not supportive, then tourists will not be interested in visiting the area.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Map of the administrative area of the research location.

Table 1 .
Results of respondents education level assessment.

Table 4 .
Results of assessment of socio-economic environmental conditions in Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism (score 5).

Table 5 .
Results of Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism accommodation assessment

Table 6 .
Results of the assessment of supporting facilities and infrastructure at the Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism.

Table 7 .
Results of assessment of availability of clean water in Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism (score 6).

Table 8 .
Results of area safety assessment in Sei Bah Bolon rafting ecotourism.