The Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated the Toba Caldera as a UNESCO Global Geopark. This occurred at the 209^th Session of the UNESCO Executive Council in Paris (07/07/2020). The Lake Toba Caldera, North Sumatra, is one of the five Super Priority Destinations (SPD) promoted by the government. Furthermore, Samosir Island in North Sumatra Province is an example of a natural heritage that needs to be preserved. This is due to its interesting and unique geosites in form of the oldest rock formations, rock structures, fossils, waterfalls, landscapes, lake tours, and the Toba Caldera geopark volcano as a new tourist destination. The preservation of this island is an innovation towards the protection of natural heritage and the transfer of Earth knowledge or geosciences [1] . Explained that geotourism is a form of special interest tourism activity geared towards exploring geological features. This form of tourism promotes an understanding of the environment, nature, and culture. Furthermore, it enhances appreciation and the need for the conservation and preservation of natural resources. The established forms of tourism in a more holistic geological environment include visits, learning, appreciating, and engaging in geosites [2] . Several studies by [3] [4] as well as [5] , formulated the SGG (Sustainable Tourism Goals) indicators for tourism development in geosites. Therefore, the principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can also be applied consistently; stated that a geosite is a region of high scientific value, assessed quantitatively and qualitatively through an inventory, assessment, and selection process to develop a management as well as a threat prevention plan [6] . According to [7] basic studies and safeguards of geosites should follow careful evaluations, while preserving and maintaining their original features, to inform sustainable geotourism goals (SGGs).

Geotourism has been conceptualized as a union of three components: Form, process, and tourism [1] [8] (Figure 1).

The Form denotes the existing landscapes with their characteristics and components. Processes include tectonic activity, weathering, deposition, etc. Tourism refers to the human dimension of tourism activities as well as the appreciation of geology and geomorphology [1] [9] . These three components form the concept of geotourism [10] . Observed that geotourism plays an important role in the preservation of geological heritage. This is known as geoconservation, where tourist visits contribute to the economy, which in turn is important for providing environmental incentives incentives [11] . UNESCO states that geotourism implies traveling through an area where the tourist explicitly understands that

the landscape being observed contains unique shapes that are modeled by dynamic processes that have left visible traces [12] . Furthermore, a geosite is a place where well-defined geodiversity elements are present which also possess cultural, touristic, or scientific value. According to [13] , Prosser, C.D. (2018), this is a site of high scientific value that has been assessed quantitatively and qualitatively through an inventory, assessment, and selection process to develop a threat management and prevention plan. A transferable geological heritage also refers to elements of the earth sciences exposed to natural or human degradation that should be protected ex-situ. Therefore, inclusion in museum collections often signifies the only means to preserve these priceless lifeless natural monuments [14] [15] . Geosites have geomorphological importance due to their geological heritage, which promotes their conservation.

A geopark is a concept that was introduced by UNESCO in 2004. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of UNESCO geoparks, reaching 161 in 2020. This has initiated many geosite characterization studies and the development of assessment methods [16] . According to [7] , the safeguarding of geosites should follow a careful, detailed evaluation while respecting the original features, to enhance sustainable tourism. This is in line with the Spatial Planning Law Number 26 of 2007: Spatial planning regulates the distribution of activities in a space, thereby providing a geographic expression to economic, social, cultural, and ecological policies.

To support the achievement of these goals, the capacity and independence of the community need to be improved and facilitated. This involves Law Number 32 of 2009 which states that the community is obliged to play a role in environmental management. With the enactment of Law Number 32 of 2004 by the Regional Government, various efforts to develop regional potential have become attractive, and have been attempted by various parties for optimal utilization. Consequently, besides tourism, other sectors strive to maximize their potential to contribute to the success of governance. In many cases, tourism has become a potential focus of policy orientation to boost the contribution of regional income. This will enable the maximization of touristic assets in certain areas. Due to many potential geotourism areas owned by Indonesia, especially the Toba Caldera, North Sumatra, geosites in each area should be introduced to the outside world with a background of geological knowledge. Therefore, the province of North Sumatra is expected to become an independent provider of geotourism in the future. The tourism sector has great potential if geoparks are developed for geological knowledge and empowerment.

Geotourism is an activity that includes visits to geosites for picnics or other recreational purposes, and involves curiosity, learning, and appreciation of the places visited [17] . The numerous potentials must be explored, developed, and optimized to attract more tourists, thereby increasing the number of visitors.

The target area was 16 geosites in 17 sub-districts in the Lake Toba, spread over seven regencies in North Sumatra Province. According to the natural heritage potential, in one regency, there is one geosite, while in another, there can be more than one geosite. The following are the target areas:

1) Geosite Sipisopiso-Tongging (Karo Regency).

2) Geosite Silalahi-Sabungan (Dairi Regency).

3) Geosite Haranggaol (Simalungun Regency).

4) Geosite Sibaganding (Simalungun Regency).

5) Geosite Taman Eden (Toba Samosir Regency).

6) Geosite Batu Basiha-TB Silalahi Balige (Toba Samosir Regency).

7) Geosite Situmurun (Toba Samosir Regency).

8) Geosite Hutaginjang (Tapanuli Utara Regency).

9) Geosite Muara Sibandang (Tapanuli Utara Regency).

10) Geosite Sipincur (Humbanghasundutan Regency).

11) Geosite Bakara-Tipang (Humbanghasundutan Regency).

12) Geosite Tele (Samosir Regency).

13) Geosite Pusukbuhit (Samosir Regency).

14) Geosite Hutatinggi Sodihoni (Samosir Regency).

15) Geosite Ambarita-Tuktuk-Tomok (Samosir Regency).

16) Geosite Danau (unifying all regencies in the Lake Toba region).

Here’s the Caldera Geosite Map Toba (Figure 2).

There are 16 main geosites mapped and located in 31 Sub-districts of the Lake Toba Region. In the geosite distribution map, these geosites show different and unique geological characteristics for interpretation purposes. These include several elements in form of rock outcrops, geological formations, landscapes, and panoramic views, cultural sites, and museums/information centers (Table 1). Based on the results of the review and field description, the geosite distribution map is shown in Figure 3.

The steps taken in the implementation of tourism include observing existing problems and identifying geological potential as well as tourism development.

The identification of potentials and shortcomings was carried out to collect data and information for the development of a geosite into a tourist destination. These include ascertaining aspects of natural attractiveness, uniqueness, ecological/environmental conditions, social, cultural, and economic conditions in general as well as the facilities and infrastructure for tourism activities in the study area.

After identifying the potential shortcomings of the 16 geosites, the results were analyzed to obtain an overview of tourism development priorities and recommendations or directions in the Toba Caldera area. Therefore, the assessment given to the tourism component in each geosite is based on: 1) Attractions in form of natural, cultural, objects, or activities for tourists; 2) Facilities provided by tourist objects; and 3) Accessibility, including problems to reach tourist sites. The assessment obtained is shown in Table 1.

The abundance of geosite wealth in Toba Caldera, North Sumatra needs to be addressed through an accurate development plan. This should be in line with the development plan of the seven regencies to collectively improve community welfare. Based on the assessment of geological resource potential, the priority for the empowerment of the 16 existing geosites is listed in Table 2.

Spatially, the priority list of geosite empowerment is shown in Figure 4.

Each of the 16 geosites in the Toba Caldera has its uniqueness and charm to be developed for geotourism. The Pusuk Buhit geosite, in this case, has several advantages due to its strong geological characteristics, regional culture, and infrastructure and access to public transportation. Tourism can boost its potential

as it has a high assessment in the socio-cultural aspect. Furthermore, Pusuk Buhit geosite has been developed as a tourist attraction by the local community through several tourism awareness groups. Pusuk Buhit spans three sub-districts namely Penguruan, Sianjur Mula-mula, and Harian Boho, in Samosir Regency, North Sumatra Province. It is one of the peaks located 1982 meters above sea level on the western edge of Lake Toba.

The local government alongside tourism awareness groups independently organizes and develops tourism at the Pusuk Buhit geosite according to its potential. The community’s commitment towards tourism activities shows their awareness and concern for the socioeconomic improvement of this geosite as well as the area. This opens up opportunities for significant development that guarantee the achievement of geosite potential as a tourist attraction. Therefore, this agrees with Page and Ross (2002) that stakeholder support plays a highly important role in the development of tourism attractiveness in an area. Based on the general description of the profile of geosites in Toba Caldera as well as external factors such as opportunities and threats, the SWOT analysis can be formulated. This simulated a matrix with four possible alternative strategies for empowerment and development of the Pusuk Buhit geosite as shown in Table 3.

This study emphasizes empowerment which has not been fully implemented in the Toba Caldera community and offers an empowerment model. The data shows that this model can be implemented to support the realization of Sustainable Rural Community Based Tourism (SRCBT) in geosites. Furthermore, the SWOT analysis showed that one of the greatest strengths of the selected geosites is the geotouristic heritage of Mount Pusuk Buhit. This historical relationship as well as the local culture preserves the local wisdom of the Gunung Raja Mountain. This culture is made up of the Batak people who inhabit the crater of the supervolcano. Therefore, they are highly recognized and can increase the number of visitors who come to Pusuk Buhit Geosite. Tour packages can also help to announce the geological features and advantages.

The main strategy involves geotourism based on itineraries through Geotrack Maps. This enables tourists to discover geosites, landscapes, and cultures, and enjoy unique experiences of knowledge and sustainable development. This is a practicable alternative to stimulate regional development while maintaining the environment. Furthermore, this strategy can contribute to improving the quality of life in the local community, thereby making the Toba Caldera an area with Sustainable Rural Community Based Tourism.

I have the pleasure of sending you the manuscript entitled “Geotourism As A 16-Geosite Empowerment Strategy For Tourism Sustainability In Toba Caldera Geopark, North Sumatra Province” authored by Said Muzambiq to be considered for publication as a research article in your prestigious in Geography Sustainability Journal which has been funded by the Research and Development Agency of the University of North Sumatra, through a research grant agreement for PTN lecturers: Number: 485/UN5.2.3.1/PPM/SPP-1 TALENTA USU/2022.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Muzambiq, S., Nst, Z.P., Gustanto and Sabrina, R. (2023) Geotourism as a 16-Geosite Empowerment Strategy—For Tourism Sustainability in Toba Caldera Geopark. Journal of Geographic Information System, 15, 294-307. https://doi.org/10.4236/jgis.2023.152015