JRSSEM 2022, Vol. 02 No. 5, 810 – 819

E-ISSN: 2807 - 6311, P-ISSN: 2807 - 6494

DOI : 10.36418/jrssem.v2i05.322 https://jrssem.publikasiindonesia.id/index.php/jrssem

IDENTIFICATION OF THE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF

FIRDAUS PARK SRIWIJAYA UNIVERSITY

Azizah Husin

Randi Pranando

Dian Sri Andriani

Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Sriwijaya University, Indonesia

e-mail: azizahhusin50@gmail.com, randipranando20@gmail.com, diansriandriani@gmail.com

*Correspondence: azizahhusin50@gmail.com

Submitted

: 29

November 2022

Revised

: 15

December 2022

Accepted

: 27

December 2022

Abstract: This study aims to identify the tourism potential of Taman Firdaus of Sriwijaya

University according to component 4A and SWOT analysis. This type of research is descriptive

with a qualitative approach. Data was collected through interviews, observation, and

documentation. The research subjects were students of Sriwijaya University and the manager

of the construction of Taman Firdaus. The results obtained in this study are 1) Identification of

the potential of Taman Firdaus through the condition of the 4A components, namely

Attraction, Amenity, Accessibility, and Ancilliary. The attractions in Taman Firdaus are artificial

lakes and fruit plantations. Meanwhile, in Amenity, tourist facilities have not been built, but

there is already a road to Taman Firdaus as an accessibility component, although it has not

been asphalted yet. As for additional services for the Ancilliary component, there is already a

security team in charge of guarding the Taman Firdaus. 2) SWOT analysis shows that the

tourism potential in Taman Firdaus is a strategic location and a large area of land. However,

there are weaknesses in access to the location which is still in the form of soil and gravel and

does not yet have supporting tourism facilities and infrastructure. In addition, there is an

opportunity to make Taman Firdaus an object of ecotourism education so that it can create

jobs for the community and students. Meanwhile, the threat encountered at the location is the

large number of wild animals that can endanger the safety of visitors.

Keywords: Tourism Potential; SWOT Analysis; Taman Firdaus.

Azizah Husin

Randi Pranando

Dian Sri Andriani

| 811

DOI : 10.36418/jrssem.v2i05.322 https://jrssem.publikasiindonesia.id/index.php/jrssem

INTRODUCTION

Sriwijaya University is the largest public

university in Indonesia in Southeast Asia.

Since the beginning of the construction of

the Sriwijaya University campus, namely in

1997 until now there are still many vacant

lands that have not been used. Among the

vacant lots is an unkempt swampy area. In

2018, Sriwijaya University inaugurated the

construction of Firdaus Park which can later

be developed into one of the tourist

attractions and as a research object for

academics.

Taman Firdaus is located on the

campus of Sriwijaya Indralaya University. In

the area, there are no tourist attractions so

it is hoped that the development of Firdaus

Park tourism can become a tourist

attraction for local people in Indralaya,

Ogan Ilir Regency and also attract people

from outside the area. Based on preliminary

observations, the development process of

the Embung I area with an area of 38

hectares is currently underway. The field

officer said that the construction of

Embung I, II, and III will be carried out.

Embung is another term for an artificial

lake.

Embung is an object that has the

potential to be developed into a tourist

attraction in Taman Firdaus. The results of

the study (2021) > Puspitasari produced

several things: 1). The concept of

Ecotourism that is applied pays attention to

5 (five) elements, namely, the environment,

society, education and experience,

sustainability, and management; 2). Priority

infrastructure needs are structuring

circulation, increasing electrical capacity,

handling waste, and waste management; 3)

Four development clusters were formed

and needed to be equipped with 28 types

of facilities.

According to the Regulation of the

Minister of Tourism Number 14 of 2016,

tourist attractions are uniqueness, beauty,

and values in the form of diversity of natural

wealth, culture, and man-made products

that are the destination of tourist visits

referred to as tourist attractions. Tourist

visits are influenced by the existence of 7

Sapta tourist charms, namely: Safe, Orderly,

Clean, Cool, Indh, Friendly, and Memorable

(Hadi: 2020).

Based on the results of preliminary

studies to field officers for the construction

of Taman Firdaus, embung or artificial lakes

function as providers of raw materials for

water during droughts, and the

construction of embung as a tourist

attraction (in Taman Firdaus. Embung which

is supported by the beauty of the

surrounding nature is a tourist attraction

sourced from nature (Pendit in Abdulhaji,

2016) so that it can be developed into an

interesting object and can be enjoyed by

tourists later (Marioti in Aulia, 2017).

Gusriza : 2022).

However, the construction of Embung

alone is not enough to make Taman Firdaus

a tourist attraction that can attract the

attention and interest of the public to visit.

Cooper in Wanda & Pangestuti (2018)

suggests that tourist destinations must

complete four components to attract

tourists. These components are attraction,

amenity, accessibility, & ancilliary or

abbreviated as 4A.

The standard of a location considered

to have tourism potential is that it must

812 |

have 4 A's, namely: The components are

attraction, amenity, accessibility, &

ancilliary or abbreviated as 4A. The

ownership of the 4 must be intact and

sufficient for each of them. If it is lacking

then there is still an opportunity for the

development of these standards into

strong potential to become tourist

destinations.

In connection with the construction of

The Paradise Park which will be developed

into a tourist attraction, it should meet the

eligibility standards based on these four

components. Not only equipped with

public facilities, but also supporting

facilities, management of ride maintenance

that is built to create a sense of security and

comfort on tourist trips. Hamid in Ibrahim

(2014) states that tourism is a trip made by

a person or group of people to visit a

certain place with the aim of doing

recreation, self-development, or studying

the tourist attraction for a while.

The purpose of people traveling is not

only for recreation, there are also other

purposes such as education, self-

development, and so on. Firduas Park,

which carries the concept of aquatic

tourism, can fulfill these various purposes.

Therefore, it is necessary to identify the

feasibility of building the Firdaus Park so

that after it is officially opened, it can cause

a positive impression on tourists. The

positive impression felt by tourists can

cause loyalty to return to visit and even

provide information to others so that a

desire to travel to the place arises. This

study wants to identify the potential that

exists in paradise parks to become tourist

attractions in terms of 4 A. attraction,

amenity, accessibility, & ancilliary or

abbreviated as 4A and swot analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This type of research is descriptive with

a qualitative approach. The qualitative

approach is used to examine certain social

conditions by correctly describing reality

formed by words based on relevant data

collection and analysis techniques obtained

from natural situations (Sugiyono, 2018).

Descriptively, information about the

tourism potential of Taman Firdaus

Universitas Sriwijaya is presented in terms

of component 4A, namely Attraction,

Ammenity, Accesibility, & Ancilliary.

The data collection method was

carried out through observation,

interviews, and literature studies related to

component 4A to identify tourism potential

in Taman Firdaus. Interviews are conducted

to the subject of the study. The selection of

respondents was carried out using

purposive sampling techniques, namely

Sriwijaya University students who have the

following criteria 1) have visited Taman

Firdaus, 2) have taken tourism courses

because in the interview instrument there

are questions about objects that have the

potential to become tourist attractions.

The identification of 4A in the Firdaus

Park tourist attraction is also strengthened

by a SWOT analysis (Strenght, Weakness,

Opportunity, Threat). SWOT analysis is a

model of identification based on various

factors systematically to formulate a

strategy that is expected to solve a problem

through a logical analysis process in

maximizing strengths and opportunities,

but simultaneously can also minimize

813 | Identification of The Tourism Potential of Firdaus Park Sriwijaya University

weaknesses and threats (Freddy, 2014).

The data analysis technique is carried

out with the following stages 1) collecting

data through observation and interviews, 2)

reducing data using source triangulation

techniques, 3) presenting data, and 4)

drawing conclusions. The series of data

analysis techniques refers to the theory of

Milles & Huberman (2019).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Sriwijaya University is one of the State

Universities located in South Sumatra

Province, Indonesia. Sriwijaya University

has two main campuses, namely in

Indralaya in Ogan Ilir regency and in Bukit

Besar in Palembang. The main campus is

located in Indralaya with an area of 712

hectares and is the center of educational

activities of various other administrative

offices.

Taman Firdaus is a park built in 2018 at

Sriwijaya University, Indralaya, Ogan Ilir

regency with initial plans for development

on a land area of 100 hectares. The Garden

of Paradise has a function as a water

catchment with three reservoirs. Apart from

being a water catchment, during the rainy

season the Lake of Taman Firdaus is also a

water reserve during the dry season.

Firdaus Park has the potential to be a tourist

attraction with the attraction of a bluish

lake or embung and the presence of fruit

plantations as an attraction.

Based on the results of the study,

information was obtained about the

completeness of component 4A in the

Firdaus Park tourist attraction as follows:

a. Attractions

Tourist attractions are something that

can be enjoyed by tourists in tourist

destinations covering nature, culture,

and artificial (Way et al., 2016). The

observation results show that Taman

Firdaus has a man-made lake

(embung) which is an attraction for

tourists. In addition, Sriwijaya

University also mobilizes academic

staff, lecturers, and students to grow

various fruits and control their

growth in Taman Firdaus. The fruit

plantation will also be an attraction in

the Paradise Garden.

Figure 1. Embung and Fruit Plantations in paradise garden

The existence of embung and fruit

plantations in Firdaus Park has the

potential to be developed as a natural

tourist destination for recreation as

well as education for tourists.

814 |

Amenity

(facility)

Facilities are things that include

facilities and infrastructure in the form

of commercially established buildings

such as hotels, homestays, inns,

souvenir shops, restaurants, toilets,

gazebos, parking lots, and others. The

facility does not yet exist in Taman

Firdaus because it is in the process of

construction so this component needs

to be held to meet the eligibility

standards of Taman Firdaus as a tourist

attraction before it is inaugurated later.

Accessibility

Accessibility is access to tourist

destinations that include land, air, and

sea transportation. Road access to the

Sriwijaya University area is quite good,

but if you continue the journey to the

paradise park tourist attraction, the

road condition is still in the form of

stones and soil. If it rains, it causes

puddles and mud holes that can hinder

travel to tourist destinations. In the

process of building this Paradise Park,

it is necessary to carry out the process

of paving roads and providing public

transportation for tourists. This is due

to the considerable distance from the

main road.

Figure 2. Road Conditions in Firdaus Park

Ancilliary

(ancillary service)

Additional services, such as marketing,

security, physical development (road

directions, drinking water, electricity, street

lights, and others). In addition,

management,

tourist information

travel

agents

, and stakeholders are also needed.

An additional service that already exists in

Taman Firdaus is that in the security aspect,

there is a security post that functions to

maintain security around the Firdaus Park

area. Then, the availability of electricity and

clean water networks also exists in Taman

Firdaus. Taman Firdaus has not yet entered

the marketing stage because it is still under

construction until now. Tourism

development potential needs synergy from

various sectors. Assyria, Rifqi et al: 2021.

The results showed that Hunimua

beach has great potential to become a

priority tourist destination for the region

and even Indonesia's priority. The

advantages of Hunimua Beach are easy

accessibility, supporting other tourist

attractions, located in traditional villages,

and extensive tourist locations. However, in

maximizing the potential of Hunimua

Beach, various obstacles need to be

815 | Identification of The Tourism Potential of Firdaus Park Sriwijaya University

addressed immediately, namely claims to

Hunimua Land, internal problems between

villages and regions, and weak support

from the central government. Ubaiyana, U.

(2021).

The result of this research is that

Sumberagung Village has natural resources

that can be developed into tourist

attractions and can attract tourists. Tourism

management in Sumberagung Village has

not been optimal because there is no full

community involvement in developing and

managing the tourism potential of

Sumberagung Village. Recommendations

are given to provide a reference in the

management and development of tourism

in Sumberagung Village, especially bagasta

community-based development, A. R.:

2021.

The results showed that the Saribu

Rumah Gadang area has not optimally

developed the potential for existing tourist

attractions. The potentials that can be

developed include; natural potential:

traditional agricultural educational tourism,

circling the area using ontel bicycles,

cultural potential: traditional ceremonies,

weekly or monthly art performances, social

potential: maximizing the management of

130 existing cultural reserves, educational

tours related to the Surambi Natural

Kingdom of Sungai Pagu, bathing

ceremony, eating bajamba, and the

potential built: maximizing the

management of existing attractions such as

Songket Tower by renting out Minang

clothes such as basiba brackets, Takuluak

for women and Destar or Desta for men.

Based on this analysis, it is hoped that all

stakeholders can maximize the existing

potential. So that the number of tourist

visits will increase and the Saribu Rumah

Gadang area is increasingly known to local

tourists and international tourists Gusriza:

2022.

The results showed that the

opportunity factor for the development of

terracotta park tourism has the most

weight compared to other external factors.

In general, the magnitude of the weight on

the external factor ranges from 0.23 to 0.29.

The result of the calculation of the total

value of the weight of external factors has

obtained the result that the total value is

2.16. Terracotta compulsive parks are in

quadrant 1 where this condition is very

favorable for the owner because it has

advantages and opportunities if it can be

utilized properly. The strategy that must be

applied in this condition is to support

growth policy (Growth Oriental Strategy).

Although there are some weaknesses and

threats that are quite large, these

attractions can take advantage of

opportunities and strengths so that they

can make these tourist attractions develop

KURNIAWATI, Risa Amalia.et al.: 2022.

The results of the study explained that

Tempur Village has the potential to be

developed as a coffee agrotourism,

because this area has fertile land, extensive

coffee plantations and a natural

environment. In developing coffee

agrotourism, it is necessary to prepare well

from the government, coffee farmers, and

also local residents to be harmonious. The

empowerment of coffee farmers, local

residents and the production of attractive

coffee product packaging need to be

taught in developing coffee agrotourism.

Furthermore, it is necessary to improve

village facilities to achieve tourist

816 |

destinations to support tourism

development, so that the planned plan can

run well. With the coffee agrotourism

development plan, it is hoped that it can be

useful for academics and the government

in order to improve science Yudhiet Nur

Prasetyo: 2021..SINTA 5.

Based on these results, an alternative

development strategy is an aggressive

strategy by taking advantage of

opportunities to increase strength. So it can

be concluded that alternative strategies

and strategic priorities can be applied to

the development of the Laksa Culinary Area

to be able to improve better tourist

destinations. The author's advice is to

improve the facilities and quality of human

resources, innovate, involve food blogers or

food vloggers for promotion, and organize

events to be more widely known. Imam

Ardiansyah: 2022 SINTA 5.

The results of the study show the

potential attraction of educational tourism

that supports the management of UNPAD

as an environmentally friendly campus, one

of which is the integrated waste

management office area of UNPAD

Novianti, 2021.

Based on this information, it can be

said that the development of Firdaus Park

into a tourist attraction is still in the early

stages of development so that it has not

met the four components of 4A related to

the feasibility of an object becoming a

tourist destination area. The 4A component

must be provided before inaugurating the

opening of Firdaus Park as a tourist

attraction carried by Sriwijaya University.

Accessibility is weak, but attractions are

useful beachesThe importance of the role

of institutions to accelerate tourism pontesi

into a tourist destination. Habaora, F:2021.

After obtaining data on the

completeness of the 4A component in

Taman Firdaus, a SWOT analysis was also

carried out to determine the magnitude of

strengths and opportunities compared to

weaknesses and threats that may occur in

Taman Firdaus.

Table 1. SWOT Analysis of Tourism Potential of Firdaus Park

Power(S)

a. The area of 100 hectares.

b. It has a embung or lake as a tourist

attraction.

c. The level of safety at the attraction

is guaranteed.

d. Accessibility is quite good.

e. A strategic place is within the

campus environment of Sriwijaya

University.

Weakness (W)

a. The infrastructural is

still ground and rocky.

b. Paradise Park is not yet

widely known to the

public.

c. Facilities and

infrastructure have not

been built in tourist

attractions.

d. It has not yet been

seen the concept of the

type of tourism that will

be built in this park.

817 | Identification of The Tourism Potential of Firdaus Park Sriwijaya University

Opportunity (O)

a. There are no tourist

attractions on other

campuses yet.

b. Become a research

place for lecturers,

students, and other

academics.

c. Opening up

employment

opportunities.

d. Student creation

facilities.

e. Sriwijaya University

product

development.

f. It is currently

underway planting

fruit trees and rare

trees that will

become a tourist

attraction.

STRATEGISTS S-O

a. With an area of 100 hectares,

Firdaus Park can be used as

educational tourism,

ecotourism, and others.

b. Embung or lake as the main

attraction, explore the waters of

the lake by water vehicle, and

surround the environment

around the lake.

c. There are already security

guards (

Security

and police)

and cctv as security support.

d. The planting of fruit trees as a

green open space and becomes

a tourist attraction.

e. Each faculty at Sriwijaya

University will build a vehicle

that represents their respective

fields of science.

f. A strategic place in the campus

environment, especially at the

graduation ceremony, can be

used by student families to

relax while promoting Paradise

Park to the community.

W-0 STRATEGY

a. Repair of the

infrastructure should

be carried out

immediately.

b. Promoting and

establishing wider

partners.

c. Construction of

facilities and

infrastructure to create

an atmosphere of

comfort for tourists.

Threat (T)

a. There are beasts

because of the

change in the

function of vacant

land.

b. There is no

certainty of the

timing regarding

the completion of

construction in

Fidaus Park.

S-T STRATEGY

a. Establishing partners

with BKSDA (Natural

Resources

Conservation Center).

b. Maximizing

development.

c. Repairing main roads,

leading roads, and

around the area.

W-T STRATEGY

a. Immediately completed

the construction of

access roads and other

facilities.

b. Establish partners with

related parties in

tourism development.

Based on the table above, it is known

that the strengths and opportunities

contained in the Garden of Paradise are

more than the weaknesses and threats that

818 |

may occur. Firdaus Park has the strength of

land availability reaching 100 hectares, the

existence of artificial lakes and orchards as

tourist attractions. In addition, it is also

supported by various opportunities, such

as visiting interests. Sriwijaya University

conducts 6x graduation in 1 year and the

release of aluumni 10 faculties 6 x a year.

They need a memorable photo spot with a

pleasant atmosphere. Unsri can provide

Firdaus Park as a comfortable place to

enjoy the atmosphere and garden tourism

treats available. Taman Firdaus as the only

tourist attraction developed by Sriwijaya

University will be a recreational target by

students and the surrounding community.

This can also be seen from the absence of

tourist attractions in the Ogan Ilir area,

especially around the Sriwijaya Indralaya

University campus.

The analysis of tourism potential is also

seen from the aspect of weaknesses and

threats. This is necessary as a logical

consideration in the development of tourist

attractions. Taman Firdaus is in the early

stages of development so there are still

many tourist components that must be

equipped, such as facilities and

infrastructure. In addition, there are also

wild animals around Firdaus Park that can

threaten the security and safety of tourists

if not managed properly before this tourist

attraction is officially opened to the public.

These weaknesses and threats can be

minimized and alternative solutions are

sought by the management because

currently Firdaus Park is still in the initial

development process. These weaknesses

and threats are also insignificant compared

to the many strengths and opportunities

possessed by the Paradise Garden.

Therefore, Taman Firdaus Universitas

Sriwijaya has the potential to be developed

as a tourist destination area by fulfilling the

completeness of component 4A in the

construction of paradise park tourist

attractions

CONCLUSIONS

Taman Firdaus Universitas Sriwijaya has

the potential to be developed into a tourist

attraction. Based on the identification of

the 4A component, it has not been said to

be feasible because it is still under

construction. Based on the results of the

SWOT analysis, the strengths and

opportunities contained in the Paradise

Park outweigh the weaknesses and threats

that may occur. As the development

progresses, Firdaus Park can provide 4A

components properly. As for overcoming

the existing threat to attacks from wild

animals around Fidaus park, the manager

can first consult with the authorities

regarding the safety of the tourist

attraction without compromising the

preservation of the animal.

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