DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICAL TOURISM
Status: Ongoing, since 2015
Kapitu Ecotourism Village, South Minahasa.
Kapitu Village in South Minahasa is a coastal community with valuable mangrove ecosystems that play an important role in protecting the shoreline, supporting marine biodiversity, and sustaining local livelihoods. Recognizing this potential, Manengkel Solidaritas supports the development of Kapitu as a community-based, mangrove ecotourism village, where environmental conservation is integrated with sustainable economic opportunities for local residents. As part of this initiative, Manengkel Solidaritas supports the development of essential ecotourism infrastructure, including an Information Center, Mangrove Café, pedestrian bridges, and public toilet facilities. These facilities are designed to improve visitor comfort and accessibility, strengthen environmental education, and enhance the overall tourism experience. Through the combination of mangrove conservation, community participation, sustainable livelihoods, and improved tourism infrastructure, Kapitu is being developed into a well-managed and attractive ecotourism destination that benefits both local communities and the coastal environment.
Through mangrove restoration, habitat protection, environmental education, community capacity building, and the development of nature-based tourism activities, local people are encouraged to take an active role in managing and protecting their coastal environment. The ecotourism initiative also creates opportunities for community-based businesses, local guides, food products, tourism services, and other sustainable livelihoods.
By developing Kapitu as a mangrove-based ecotourism destination, the program aims to strengthen community participation, increase local economic opportunities, and ensure that mangrove ecosystems are protected and sustainably managed for future generations.
Information Center In Kapitu Village
Kapitu Underwater
Why?
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To create alternative and sustainable livelihood opportunities for coastal communities while reducing their dependence on marine resources.
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To strengthen the protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems and other important coastal habitats.
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To reduce pressure on coastal and marine resources by promoting environmentally responsible economic activities.
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To increase community awareness of the ecological and economic importance of healthy mangrove, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
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To encourage local communities to become active stewards of their natural resources through conservation and community-based ecotourism.
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To develop Kapitu as a sustainable tourism destination where conservation directly supports local livelihoods and community development.
Activities
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Introducing and strengthening a community-based ecotourism program that connects mangrove conservation with sustainable livelihood development.
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Conducting mangrove restoration, monitoring, and habitat protection activities to improve the condition and resilience of coastal ecosystems.
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Providing environmental education and conservation awareness activities for local communities, schools, and visitors.
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Building community capacity through training in ecotourism management, hospitality, guiding, environmental interpretation, and tourism services.
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Encouraging local residents to develop homestays, local food products, guiding services, handicrafts, and other community-based tourism businesses.
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Developing nature-based tourism experiences such as mangrove exploration, environmental education tours, coastal activities, snorkeling, diving, and wildlife observation.
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Strengthening community organizations and local participation in the planning, management, and promotion of Kapitu Ecotourism Village.
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Promoting Kapitu's natural and cultural assets as part of a responsible and sustainable tourism destination in South Minahasa.
Mangrove Café
Mangrove Seedling Nursery
Construction of a Mangrove Boardwalk in Kapitu
Results
Kapitu’s development as a mangrove-based ecotourism village has strengthened community participation in coastal conservation while creating new livelihood opportunities through tourism. Mangrove restoration, environmental education, improved facilities, and community-based tourism activities are helping to protect coastal ecosystems while supporting local economic development and long-term community resilience.
Bahoi Ecotourism Village, North Minahasa.
Many coastal communities in North Sulawesi have long depended on marine resources for their livelihoods. In the past, destructive fishing practices such as overfishing, fish poisoning, and blast fishing placed significant pressure on coral reefs and other marine ecosystems. As fishing remains the primary source of income for many coastal households, the decline of marine resources has also affected local livelihoods and economic security. Ecotourism provides an alternative and more sustainable source of income by creating new opportunities that are directly linked to the protection of healthy coastal and marine ecosystems. Through tourism, conservation, and community-based enterprises, local people can generate income while reducing pressure on marine resources and helping to preserve the natural environment for future generations.
Why?
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To offer an alternative livelihood for people who cannot live of fishing anymore
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To ensure the protection of the marine protected areas
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To stop the use of destructive fishing techniques
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To prevent continuously decreasing numbers of fish
Activities
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Introducing a program to the villages to improve the condition of coastal and marine areas
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Encouraging the inhabitants to develop ecological tourism, planning activities, opening homestays
Local fishery In Bahoi
Results
Strengthening the management of marine and coastal resources, demanding the active involvement of the community, resulted in the environmental protection of the habitats in villages.
Gradually the condition of mangrove forest, seagrass, and coral reefs have started improving. The positive outcome of the program has a social dimension, as fishermen could recognize various species of marine life including skipjack, squid, and other large reef fish and are able to catch them close to the coast.
Tourists with a local guide
Nowadays the community has some homestays, as well as a professional dive guide group and is still working on other touristic activities. The unique underwater world draws the attention of tourists, who choose the Bahoi village as their holiday destination.
Pier at the village Bahoi
This project is sponsored by :
