PERSEPSI MASYARAKAT TERHADAP KEBERADAAN KAWASAN WISATA BATU LOVE GARDEN (BALOGA) (Studi di Desa Bumiaji dan Desa Pandanrejo, Kecamatan Bumiaji, Kota Batu)

This study aims to determine the public perception of the existence of Batu Love Garden (BALOGA) tourist area in Batu City, East Java. BALOGA is a flower garden-based tourist attraction that offers natural beauty and flora education, attracting tourists from various regions. This research uses a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, where data is collected through in-depth interviews with local residents and field observations. The results show that community perceptions of BALOGA are mostly positive, especially in relation to the perceived economic impacts, such as increased income, employment opportunities, and the development of local facilities. However, there are also some concerns about negative impacts, including increased traffic, pollution and changes to the surrounding environment. These community perceptions reflect the expectation that the management of the BALOGA tourism area should pay attention to environmental sustainability and the welfare of local communities. This research is expe