Socialization and Dissemination of Three Ecotourism Models Based on Traditional Bendega Institutions in the Coastal Area of Canggu Traditional Village, Badung Regency

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FORMOSA NEWS - Bali - Revitalizing Bali Coastlines: Traditional Fishermen Launch New Ecotourism Models to Boost Local Economy. Traditional fishermen in Bali's booming Canggu coastal area are expanding into sustainable ecotourism through a newly introduced initiative. Conducted on July 6, 2026, at the Segara Canggu Temple, the community empowerment project was led by researchers from Universitas Warmadewa in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia. The initiative introduced three distinct ecotourism models to 62 Bendega Krama (traditional fishermen), village officials, and local business partners. This initiative addresses the economic vulnerability of local fishermen whose fishing season lasts only about three months a year while simultaneously advancing global sustainability goals.

Balancing Rapid Tourism Growth with Indigenous Preservation

Canggu has rapidly transformed into one of Bali's most prominent global tourism destinations, packed with beach clubs, villas, and restaurants. While this commercial boom drives regional income, it places heavy socio-economic pressure on indigenous fishermen known as Bendega Adat. Operating under the traditional Tri Hita Karana philosophy of harmony with God, humans, and nature, Bendega Canggu faces declining fish catches from overfishing and a limited fishing season that restricts the fisheries sector to just 0.477% of Badung Regency's GDP. To protect sacred cultural values from pure commercialization, researchers and traditional leaders adopted a hybrid model that maintains ritual and conservation practices as primary functions while positioning ecotourism as a supporting economic unit under the full authority of the Bendega Adat.

Participatory Learning and Multi-Model Ecotourism Design
The research team employed the Participatory Action Learning System (PALS) approach, treating local community members as active subjects in the learning process rather than passive participants. Following preparatory coordination and a SWOT analysis, the July 6 dissemination forum featured opening customary prayers, safety equipment handovers, and an international plenary session. The program successfully introduced three tailored ecotourism models:

• Traditional Sea Tourism Mina: Invites premium foreign tourists to go to sea on traditional jukung boats, observe pre-sailing Sembahyang Segara rituals, learn fishing techniques, and enjoy freshly prepared seafood on the beach with Bendega krama acting as guides.
  
• Coastal Conservation Tourism: Focuses on environmental education, zoning based on local awig-awig rules, and group fishing activities that double as fish habitats and green tourist attractions.
  
• Marine Products Culinary Tourism: Involves visitors in transforming seafood into value-added products like smoked fish, shredded fish, and crackers for distribution to local villas, hotels, and restaurants through business partnerships.
  

Economic Resilience and Real-World Impact
The implementation of these three models projects a combined income potential reaching approximately IDR 25,000,000 per month. This financial boost directly strengthens community economic resilience outside the brief three-month effective fishing season. Furthermore, the project directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The initiative also aligns with higher education performance metrics by integrating student field learning and direct community utilization of academic research.

Author Profile
I Komang Putra is a lecturer and researcher at Universitas Warmadewa with expertise in community service, customary institutions, and regional economic empowerment.

Source
I Komang Putra, I Ketut Darma, Ni Nyoman Rusmiati, Mohd Raziff Jamaluddin, Anak Agung Putu Agung Caturyarta Nugraha Udayana, I Made Cahyadi Putra. Socialization and Dissemination of Three Ecotourism Models Based on Traditional Bendega Institutions in the Coastal Area of Canggu Traditional Village, Badung Regency. Asian Journal of Community Services (AJCS). Vol. 5, No. 9, Tahun 2026, hlm. 711-720
DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/ajcs.v5i9.74
URL : https://journalajcs.my.id/index.php/ajcs