Mendong Grass-based Eco Bag represents village potency development in supporting ecotourism in Ngargotirto Sragen Indonesia

Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Sebelas Maret, 57126, Surakarta, Central Java Province, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: argyodemartoto@staff.uns.ac.id

Abstract

The village potency optimization and the attempt of reducing rubbish from disposable plastic shopping bag are environmental issues encouraging tourism business actors to initiate eco bag production to support ecotourism. This exploratory research analyses village potency development in Ngargotirto village, Sragen, Indonesia in supporting ecotourism through mendong grass-based eco bag using Sessions’ deep ecology theory. Informants were selected using purposive sampling. Observation, in-depth interview and related documentation were obtained from managers of Eco Bag business in Ngargotirto Village, surrounding people, tourists, and staffs of Living Environment and Cooperatives, Micro-, Small-, and medium-scale enterprise, and Industry and Trade Service Offices of Sragen Regency. Data was validated using source triangulation and analysed using an interactive model of analysis. Villagers have knowledge and skill on processing mendong grass into environment-friendly eco bag following ecotourism, design, production, and e-marketing training held by government and tourism business actors. Some basic materials derive from outside region; hence production cost is still high and plastic-based accessories are still used. Rainy season inhibits drying process and makes eco bag easy to mold. Business actors control production and marketing quality and quantity, increase villagers’ income, and support sustainable tourism through collaborating with private to reach national and global markets.