Strengthening Financial Management Capacity to Support Community Income and Sustainable Ecotourism Development in Kairatu, West Seram Regency, Maluku

Community-based ecotourism offers meaningful opportunities for local communities to strengthen their livelihoods while preserving the natural and cultural resources of their region. In Kairatu, West Seram Regency, the development of tourism-related microenterprises presents promising economic opportunities. However, limited financial management skills remain a challenge for small business owners in managing income, monitoring expenses, and planning for business sustainability. This community service initiative focuses on strengthening the financial management capacity of microentrepreneurs supporting ecotourism through participatory training and mentoring. The activities cover basic financial recordkeeping, separation of personal and business finances, cash flow management, cost calculation, and profit evaluation. Field documentation also highlights the coastal environment, recreational facilities, and tourism-supporting services that contribute to Kairatu’s local economic potential. The initiative emphasizes the importance of accessible and practical financial knowledge in helping community members make informed business decisions. Strengthening these skills is expected to support more sustainable microenterprises and encourage greater local participation in ecotourism development. Further evaluation is needed to establish the measurable effects of the program on business performance and community income.