S8-7

The Impact of Utilizing the Leang-Leang Maros Archaeological Park in the Maros-Pangkep Prehistoric Area of South Sulawesi as a Tourist Attraction Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Yusriana1, Dewi Susanti2, Asmunandar3, Erwin Mansyur Ugu Saraka4

1Department of Archaeology, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia

2South Sulawesi Province Cultural Heritage Preservation Center, Indonesia

3Department of History, State University of Makassar, Indonesia

4Archaeology Laboratory, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia

Utilization of archaeological resources can be applied in various forms; for education, religion, and some for tourism purposes. Utilization as a tourist attraction must have a sustainable conservation perspective to protect and maintain the continuity of archaeological resources, the environment and provide benefits to the society, including improving welfare. This study investigates the condition of archaeological tourist attractions in Leang-Leang Maros Archaeological Park before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Archaeological methods include data collection, processing and interpretation of data. The results of the study showed that the use of a site as a tourist attraction before the COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact by increasing regional and community income close to the site. Unfortunately, it also had negative impacts such as vandalism (scribbles both with writing tools and sharp objects) and the deposition of garbage within the prehistoric caves. On the other hand, after the COVID-19 pandemic, the local government and communities who participate in the tourism trade experienced a significant decrease in income from the use of the Leang-Leang Maros Archaeological Park as a tourist attraction.