AI Chatbots in Culinary Ecotourism Based on Zero-Waste Gastronomy to Support Green Tourism
Abstract
Sustainable tourism requires a balance between human activities and environmental conservation. One strategy that can support this goal is the implementation of Zero-Waste Gastronomy in the eco-tourism culinary industry. However, its implementation still faces serious challenges, such as low tourist awareness of the impact of food consumption, a lack of education regarding food ingredients and carbon footprints, and limited digital infrastructure. According to the Food Waste Index Report 2021, the culinary sector generates nearly 931 million tons of food waste annually globally, which exacerbates carbon emissions and pressure on natural resources. This condition highlights the urgency of research related to environmentally friendly technological innovations. The purpose of this study is to develop and test the effectiveness of AI Chatbots as virtual assistants in zero-waste-based culinary ecotourism to increase tourist awareness while supporting restaurant operational efficiency. The research methods used include literature studies, interviews with four in-depth sources with four sources who are MSME and restaurant managers who have implemented zero-waste gastronomy principles. The research population consists of MSME and restaurant actors, with samples selected purposively according to their involvement in sustainable culinary practices. Data were analyzed using a descriptive qualitative approach for interviews, as well as simple quantitative analysis from observations to determine the level of tourists' understanding and interest in zero-waste practices.
The results of the study show that tourists are highly enthusiastic about the concept of sustainable cuisine, but their knowledge is still limited. The AI Chatbots developed have proven to be able to present interactive information about menus, food ingredients, and zero-waste practices in an interesting and easy-to-understand manner. This discussion confirms that this technology not only strengthens tourist awareness, but also plays a role in improving communication and education efficiency for ecotourism restaurants. In conclusion, the development of AI Chatbots for zero-waste cuisine has the potential to shape a more efficient, environmentally friendly ecotourism ecosystem and contribute significantly to reducing food waste globally.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/gastur.v13i1.90262
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