Assessing Mandeh Region as the Center of Marine Ecotourism in West Sumatra Province, Indonesia: Mass Tourism Issue and Vulnerability Aspects

Nowadays, Mandeh Region has developed significantly as the center of marine ecotourism in West Sumatra Province. Many local and international tourists were visiting this site. Due to those conditions, many threats emerged, such as mass tourism evoking damages and pollutions. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of the Mandeh Region for tourism activity and identify the impacts of mass tourism. A direct survey has been conducted. We assessed water quality, accessibility, and social conflicts using a scoring method. A modified matrix categorizing some parameters as the underlying data for marine tourism sustainability was used. We also developed Smartline and CVI model to assess the vulnerability level along Mandeh coastal bay. Local zonation was recommended to reduce more environmental damages. We examined the feasibility of the Mandeh region as a place for ecotourism that reached 71.12 %, indicating this area is sufficiently feasible. The absence of local regulations before the Mandeh region was established as the center of marine ecotourism resulted in mass tourism phenomena that elevated marine litter accumulation. Moreover, the development of many resorts near the coast has recently played a role in triggering pollution and damage. Advanced regulation and management are necessary to diminish negative impacts on both the environment and society.

Study of the Historic Shipwreck Sites Area Development for Marine Ecotourism in Thousand Islands

The historic shipwreck sites are a part of the Maritime Archaeological Resources. They are currently occupying an important position as one of the non-conventional marine resources with blue economy potential in it. Sites are usually found in the conditions that have been integrated with the marine ecosystem in their environment. Some have even been completely covered with coral reefs, so that this uniqueness becomes the added value of the site for a tourist attraction. The research was carried out in Thousand Islands waters, which having kept many records of the maritime history of the Nusantara Archipelago for centuries and in their current development, the Jakarta∧s Thousand Islands are included as one of the Marine Tourism Village areas (Desa Wisata Bahari/Dewi Bahari). The purpose of this research is to determine the value of the shipwreck sites potency which are suitable for marine ecotourism development area in Thousand Islands waters and for obtaining the sustainable management model that can be integrated with the ecosystem in their environment. The research methods used sites surveys, focus group discussions, and interviews. Data processing was done by using Site Significance Assessment analysis. The result shows there are 4 (four) of historic shipwreck sites potency area in Thousand Islands waters which can be recommended as the attraction for marine ecotourism with the model of the Marine Eco Archaeological Park (MEA Park). These sites areas include 1)Shinta wreck in Pari Island waters, 2) Tabularasa wreck in Pramuka Island waters, 3) Poso wreck in Karang Congkak waters, and 4) Papatheo wreck in Sepa Island waters.

Strengthening Marine Ecotourism Management’s Institutional Performance in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Institutional performance is a critical element that stakeholders must collectively strengthen to better respond to marine tourism development challenges. The institutional strength of a community has the power to influence the behaviour of local people, which drives them to conduct activities effectively and create a foundation for management. This paper uses qualitative approaches specifically through the case study method. The results of this paper show that: (1) beyond the potential of marine ecotourism development, there are several unsolved problems specifically within the ecological, social and economic areas; (2) ten indicators strengthen the institutional performance in developing Raja Ampat Tourism Villages. These indicators consist of: (1) community cooperation with outside institutions; (2) clarity of management area borderlines; (3) correspondence of regulations towards the local conditions; (4) active engagement of the community in the development and management of regulations; (5) the presence of local institutions; (6) effectiveness of supervision; (7) the imposition of sanctions; (8) conflict resolution mechanisms; (9) governmental recognition through the establishment of regulations; (10) equal access for resource users.

Persepsi Wisatawan Terhadap Daya Tarik Ekowisata Bahari Pantai Enabara, Kabupaten Ende, Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur

Ende Regency has a huge potential to be developed into a tourist attraction. One of them is the marine tourism attraction located in Aewora Village, Maurole District, namely Pantai Enabara. The beach has not been developed because of the lack of government attention and the low level of tourism human resources of the local community. This study aims to determine the role of stakeholders, to know the perceptions of the local community and tourists, and to conduct a strategic development of tourist attractions. The research used a qualitative method with Likert scale assisted. The data were collected by observation, interview, questionnaire, and documentation study. The number of respondents in the data collection of 20 respondents selected incidentally. The concept used in research is the concept of tourist attraction, marine ecotourism, and perception. The results showed that tourists are very enthusiastic to welcome the proposal to make Enabara Beach a tourist destination. In terms of tourists, tourists realize that Enabara Beach has a very attractive appeal and tourists also agree if the beach is managed based on the principles of eco-tourism. In supporting the maritime tourism development strategy based on ecotourism, active participation from the community, Local Government, and coordination of all stakeholders are needed to improve the quality of service and tourism attractions, accessibility, facilities, and institutions. Keywords: Tourist Attraction, Marine Ecotourism, Tourist Perception.

Analisis Kesesuaian Ekosistem Lamun sebagai Pendukung Ekowisata Bahari Pulau Panjang Kabupaten Jepara

Ekowisata bahari adalah kegiatan wisata berkelanjutan yang memanfaatkan sumberdaya pesisir dan laut. Sumberdaya tersebut dapat dibagi menjadi sumberdaya alam dan manusia yang keduanya bersinergi dan berintegrasi untuk pemanfaatan ekowisata tersebut. Ekowisata lamun merupakan salah satu ekowisata berpotensi dimana potensi ekosistem lamun yang merupakan salah satu ekosistem di wilayah pesisir dengan peran penting untuk melindungi wilayah pesisir tersebut. Tujuan dilakukannya penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui potensi ekosistem lamun untuk dijadikan pendukung ekowisata bahari dengan melihat presentase tutupan, parameter lingkungan, dan kelimpahan biota yang berasosiasi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode observasi langsung. Metode observasi langsung adalah metode pengumpulan data yang dilakukan dengan mengamati dan mengukur langsung objek yang diamati. Metode pengambilan data menggunakan metode transek garis LIPI dengan transek kuadran 50 x 50 cm. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa setidaknya terdapat lima spesies lamun yang dapat ditemukan di Perairan Pulau Panjang, yaitu: Thallasia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, dan Halophila ovalis. Kerapatan jenis lamun tertinggi adalah spesies Thallasia hemprichii di stasiun 1 dan kerapatan terendah adalah spesies Halophila ovalis di stasiun 1. Perairan Pulau Panjang juga memiliki potensi biota yang berasosiasi dalam ekosistem lamun, dimana terdapat berbagai jenis ikan karang, Mollusca, Cnidaria, dan Echinodermata yang meningkatkan daya dukung ekowisata lamun yang juga didukung dengan hasil persepsi masyarakat yang mendukung dan ingin berpartisipasi dalam kegiatan ekowisata pada ekosistem lamun. Marine ecotourism is a sustainable tourism activity that utilized coastal and marine resources. These resources can be devided into natural resources and human resources that both of which can be sinergized and integrated for ecotourism use. Seagrass ecotourism is one of the potential ecotourism that seagrass ecosystem is one of the ecosystems in coastal areas with an important role in protecting the coastal area. The purpose of this research is to determine the potential of seagrass ecosystem to support marine ecotourism in Panjang Island by also looking at the coverage percentage, environmental parameters, and the abundance of associated biotas. The research method used is direct observation method. Direct observation method is a method of collecting data by directly observing and measuring the object that being observed. The data collection method uses method by LIPI that uses quadrant transects of 50 x 50 cm. The results indicate that there’s at least five species of seagrass can be found in Panjang Island Waters, which is: Thallasia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, and Halophila ovalis. The highest coverage density of seagrass is Thallasia hemprichii in station 1, and the lowest coverage density is Halophila ovalis in station 1. Panjang Island Waters also have the potential of associated biotas in the seagrass ecosystem, where there are various types of reef fishes, Molluscas, Cnidarias, and Echinodermatas that can increase the potential of seagrass ecotourism which are also supported by the results of the community’s perception that support and want to participate in ecotourism activities in the seagrass ecosystem of Panjang Island.