Technology-Based Education in Developing Agro-Educational Tourism Attractions in the Magetan Refugia Garden: Website Construction and Plant Tag Cards

Abstract

Agro-edutourism is a tourism concept that integrates agriculture, education, and recreation. Currently, agro-edutourism is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Indonesia, especially in areas with rich natural resources and biodiversity. This is indicated by an increase in the number of tourists and the contribution of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the tourism sector which reached 4.01% in the first half of 2024, exceeding the previous year's contribution of 3.9%. One location that has the potential to be developed into agro-edutourism is the Magetan Refugia Garden, which has stunning natural scenery and charming flower beds. Therefore, the UGM KKN-PPM Team Period II 2024 offers a work program in the form of "Application of Web-based Plant Cards at the Magetan Refugia Garden". The aim is to make the Magetan Refugia Garden an educational tourist destination by integrating technology through plant card media connected to an informative website, so that it can increase tourist appeal while providing learning experiences and expanding tourists' knowledge. This activity was carried out in July-August 2024 using a descriptive method with a qualitative approach, through the following stages: 1) survey and data collection, 2) administrative permit processing, 3) media design (literature study of educational materials), 4) making plant identification cards, 5) website creation, 6) card procurement at the Refugia Garden, 7) audience and socialization, and 8) monitoring and evaluation. This program has succeeded in integrating technology and education in creating informative, interactive, and interesting agro-edutourism. This is shown by the positive response of tourists during the one bye one socialization, 74% of visitors found it easy to access information and 26% felt an increase in their educational experience. This program is expected to have a long-term impact in increasing public knowledge, preserving the environment, and encouraging local economic growth by increasing the number of tourist visits.