STAKEHOLDERS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN RINJANI-LOMBOK GEOPARK: THE EVIDENCE FROM MOUNT RINJANI NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

Based on stakeholder and social exchange theory, this study examined a model of the re­la­tionship between stakeholder awareness, perception of impact (environmental, economic, and socio-cultural), and attitude toward ecotourism development in Mount Rinjani National Park (MRNP). The model was tested using a sample of 157 stakeholders. Data were collected by surveying and analyzing using the partial least squares. The results showed that only perception of the economic impacts of ecotourism partially mediated the relationship between awareness and attitude toward ecotourism development. From the perspective of stakeholder theory, the perceived impacts are he­terogeneous. These differences will determine their attitude toward the level of support and parti­ci­pation. From the perspective of social exchange theory, the study showed that attitude toward eco­tourism development is directly influenced by awareness of ecotourism and the perception of eco­nomic impact. The stakeholders on MRNT have a more compromising attitude toward ecotourism development to the socio-cultural and environmental impacts.