The problem of using technology in the development of tourist attractions is still a heavy homework for tourism areas. The presence of technology plays an important role in facilitating the lives of Indonesian people in various ways, one of which is the tourism sector. Changes in tourist behavior can be seen when 70% search and share has gone through digital devices. Technology is one of the variables for strengthening tourism strategy management as stated in the PESTEL analysis (Politic, Economy, Social, Technology, Environment, and Legal).
There are many kinds of Indonesian tourist destinations, one of which is in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara which is a favorite destination for foreign tourists and local tourists for vacation. A vacation to Lombok is incomplete if you don’t enjoy the beautiful rural atmosphere of its culture and nature. One of them is located in Sembalun Tourism, East Lombok Regency. Sembalun Tourism is located on the slopes of Mount Rinjani. Known as a tourist destination that has a mountainous atmosphere and beautiful views of rice fields. Therefore, this area has great tourism potential.
In order to support the local government to empower tourism in Sembalun District, on Saturday 26 August 2022, the Community Service Team from the Faculty of Nursing, University of Indonesia (FoN UI) carried out a community service activity entitled “Empowering Community in IT Literacy for Sustainable Tourism in Sembalun Village, East Lombok. , NTB” through providing education and training on waste sorting and management to cadres in Sajang Village, Sembalun. The program for the use of technology in the development of tourist attractions was formed as an effort made in preparation for becoming a priority tourist spot by increasing the information literacy skills of local communities through socialization and community empowerment to increase the role of the community in the use of technology in the development of tourist attractions. The use of technology in the development of tourist attractions will have a positive impact on the readiness of the community’s economy and the environment. FoN UI raised the issue of technology literacy in this community service activity because technology can be a powerful resource to promote local tourism potential nationally and internationally.
This activity was carried out in Sajang Village, Sembalun District, East Lombok by involving 25 participants consisting of youth and young tourism actors in Sajang Village, Sembalun District. The involvement of youth and women in this program is expected to help the local government to promote the tourism potential of Sembalun. Before being given education, the cadres did a pre-test as a measuring tool for the knowledge of the cadres before being given education by the FoN UI Community Service team. In the educational session, Ns. Rona Cahyantari Merduaty, S.Kep., M.AdvN. as a representative of the FoN UI Lecturer delivered material on the role of technology in tourism promotion, the types of social media that can be used for tourism promotion, and how to use social media for tourism promotion. After that, the participants were divided into 5 groups to be given training on how to make tourism. account and create travel promotional content on social media YouTube, Instagram, Facebook. Twitter, TikTok, and websites accompanied by facilitators. After completion, participants were again given a post-test to see the development of the cadres’ cognitive abilities after being given education.
“Waste is indeed a complex problem in Sajang Village. The amount of waste in this village is quite high and difficult to recycle because the management is still not optimal. We hope that this community service can help the cadres to improve their knowledge and ability to sort and manage waste in a sustainable manner,” explained Hidmatul Arif as Secretary of Sajang Village.
FIK UI community service activities were carried out by Hening Pujasari, S.Kp., M.Biomed., MANP., Ph.D. as team leader and FIKUI lecturer, Ns. Rona Cahyantari Merduaty, S.Kep., M.AdvN., Ns. Silvia Elki Putri, M. Kep., Ns. Edian Fitriana, S. Kep., and 5 FIKUI Regular S1 students namely Alfisyah Salwa, Hanifa Zahrah Shalihah, Jihan Rahayu Marion, Septia Eka Ilhami, and Risya Fitri Salsabilla.
At the end of the activity, participants expressed their gratitude to the service team for the community service activities carried out in Sajang Village. Participants were satisfied and greatly helped by the activities carried out because the participants were able to practice how to create social media accounts while taking advantage of existing social media features for tourism promotion in Sajang Village, Sembalun District, East Lombok, NTB.
