Tourist Perceptions of Environmental Quality And Tourism In Bendung Lepen, Giwangan, Yogyakarta

Abstract

This study examines tourists’ perceptions of the environmental quality and tourism services at Bendung Lepen, an ecotourism destination in Yogyakarta, initiated by local communities. Bendung Lepen offers scenic views of the Gajah Wong River and irrigation canals filled with tilapia and goldfish, in addition to providing environmental services such as irrigation, fish cultivation, and water flow management. Understanding tourists’ perceptions of environmental quality and the destination’s services is critical for sustainable tourism development. This research aims to assess how tourists perceive the environmental conditions and tourism offerings at Bendung Lepen. Data were collected through a purposive sampling method, surveying 60 tourists using a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was applied to evaluate the perceptions. The findings reveal that tourists consider the environmental quality at Bendung Lepen to be good, with indicators such as cleanliness, waste disposal facilities, water clarity, air quality, and natural beauty being well-regarded. From a tourism perspective, tourists also perceive the destination as safe, with satisfactory cleanliness, accessible recreational and information facilities, and good service quality. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining environmental quality and improving tourism facilities to enhance the sustainability of the destination. Further research could focus on improving tourist behavior to minimize the environmental impact of tourism activities.