Increasing Public Understanding of Disaster By Way of Educational Tourism in Pangandaran, Indonesia

Pangandaran is an environment-based tourist destination which is quite popular in Indonesia, but Pangandaran has a high potential for disaster. The purpose of this article is to find out how the efforts made by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Pangandaran Regency to increase public understanding of disaster through educational tours to schools. This study uses descriptive methods that are supported by qualitative and quantitative data as reinforcement. Data collected in the form of information on geographical, socio-economic conditions, available resources, and ongoing program activities. The results of the study illustrate how the role of disaster education is packaged under the name of Disaster Education Tourism Goes To School (WEB GTS) to build a safety and resilience culture in society. The provision of disaster education to school children aims to provide them with sufficient skills and knowledge to manage disasters. With the support of sufficient knowledge and a supportive environment, children have the potential to become agents who are able to do independent rescue and can be a media for transferring disaster knowledge to their immediate environment, especially in the family.