The potential of local tourism in the city of Surabaya, especially the diverse Mangrove Forest Ecotourism, has become the concern of the Hayam Wuruk Perbanas University Lecturer Team. The reason is, after reviewing the location of the Medokan Ayu Mangrove, Rungkut District, Surabaya, they took the initiative to cooperate with the local Tourism Awareness Group (Pokdarwis) in order to promote massive and sustainable tourist attractions. This was announced through the Medokan Ayu Mangrove Ecotourism Local Digital Market program.

The Head of the Community Service Team (Abdimas) Lecturer of UHW Perbanas, Hariadi Yutanto, S.Kom., M.Kom., conveyed that the digital marketing program implemented in Mangrove Ecotourism began with training on website and social media management. The two components are used by him as a basis to promote various tourist spots that can be enjoyed by visitors.

"Later on, we will prepare an Android-based Digital Local Market Mangrove Application Network (MANGAN) with a target market for the general public, especially the Surabaya area," explained Hariadi Yutanto on the sidelines of filling out training materials on Saturday, (26/3).

In addition, his party and the team offer interactive social media solutions managed by the Medokan Ayu Mangrove Gardens Pokdarwis team as a forum to explore local tourist spots to attract more tourists. The teams involved in this community service activity are: Hariadi Yutanto, Ellen Theresia Sihotang, Diah Ekaningtyas, Kartika Marta Budiana, and Romi Ilham.

Meanwhile, Tamsir as Chair of the Medokan Ayu Mangrove Ecotourism Pokdarwis welcomed the program offered by the UHW Perbanas team. He also hopes that the tours he manages are now more advanced and well-known for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Tamsir stated that after the status of the Covid 19 pandemic dropped, the Medokan Ayu Mangrove Ecotourism began to be crowded on weekends. Local tourist points are offered, ranging from Bosem, Water Tours, Boat Tours, Gazebos, photo spots, and others. He also plans to add a new tour, namely a tourist boat that goes to the sea or more popularly known as marine tourism.

“Here, including free tours, you only pay for parking tickets. If visitors want to contribute, tourists can buy 2 mangrove seedlings for five thousand rupiah to plant. Visitors can already enjoy the rides available at Mangrove Ecotourism," he explained.

He also hopes that this millennial generation can participate in promoting Medokan Ayu Mangrove Ecotourism on the social media homepage. "So the Digital Marketing program from UHW Perbanas is very fitting to be applied in our tourist attractions. Hopefully, our local creative economy can be lifted through this service program," hopes Tamsir.  (eko/hms)