Preservation of the Tallulolona Philosophy for Managing Sustainable Tourism in Toraja

Abstract

Tourism is one of the country's foreign exchange producing sectors. In 2017 Indonesia's tourism sector ranked second after palm oil. The tourism sector is a significant opportunity for many developing countries. Specifically, in Indonesia, this growth has not been in line with the involvement of the community in managing tourism destinations. Management of tourism destinations has not synergised with each other. The development policy does not look at the tourism sector as one of the leading areas in the region. The development of tourism supporting facilities and infrastructure are misdirecting, so the tourism facilities that are building because they are not following the interests and needs of tourists. On the other hand, most Indonesian people do not seem to understand tourism fundamentally, especially the concept of sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism always cares about the development of environmentally friendly tourism.

Toraja is one of the destinations in Indonesia with its various uniqueness. Toraja has a unique culture that is packaged in the philosophy of Tallulolona. Tallulolona is a guide for the Toraja people to live in harmony with nature and with fellow humans and animals. The relationship between these three components is lifted and maintained in the fabric of human life. This harmonious relationship is created because it bases on the belief that the three are siblings (sangserekan). Thus every lolo must protect the lives of his siblings. The Toraja people believe Tallulolona as an aspect that must be maintained and preserved for sustainable Toraja tourism destinations. On the other hand, the condition of Toraja tourism when viewed from now seems to disappear because community involvement in protecting the environment has diminished. Public awareness of sustainable tourism does not exist.

The purpose of this study is to determine a strategy to preserve the philosophy of Tallulolona for sustainable tourism in the Toraja destination and to apply this strategy to the Toraja community. This type of research combines quantitative-qualitative research methods. As for the results obtained in this writing, the philosophy of Tallulolona is not understood by the younger generation; less implemented in daily life; poorly publicised (socialised), and the function of Tallulolona underwent a shift.