Sustainability analysis of marine ecotourism management for preserving natural resources and coastal ecosystem functions

Abstract

Ecotourism very support for conservation. Ecotourism may assist with preservation of natural resources and ecotourism functions in comparison to other alternatives, such as mass tourism. This study aims to analyze the sustainability status of ecotourism management for preserving natural resources and ecosystem functions. This study is a survey on ecotourism destinations Clungup Mangrove Conservation (CMC). To analyze the level of sustainability, 9 dimensions were analyzed based on theoretical and empirical studies. The dimensions consisted of (1) conservation, (2) participation, (3) recreation and education, (4) economy, (5) control, (6) government, (7) ecotourism center, (8) academics/researchers, and (9) social media. This study employed quantitative analysis using Rapfish application with Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) to assess the status and sustainability index of marine tourism management (CMC). The result revealed that the sustainability status of marine ecotourism management in CMC was categorized as “highly sustainable”. The highest value was the conservation dimension and the lowest value was in the government dimension. Therefore, government support for improving the role of ecotourism regarding preservation of natural resources and ecosystem functions is required. The government can give its support through implementing regulations, facilitating ecotourism management, designing public policy for ecotourism, and planning government policies that benefit the development of ecotourism.