Marine Ecotourism Sustainability in Komodo National Park: A Social Ecological System Approach
Ahmad Bahar1*, Andi Iqbal Burhanuddin2, Amran Saru3

Faculty of Marine Science and Fisheries, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to assess the sustainability of marine ecotourism activities in Komodo National Park, West Manggarai Regency. The research was conducted from June to August 2021. Both primary and secondary data were used in this research. Primary data were taken using a questionnaire containing subjective parameters, such as: taxes, permits, community participation in marine ecotourism, goverment policies related to marine ecotourism, income, labour. Secondary data retrieved by a search of relevant scientific literature and relevant technical agencies in West Manggarai Regency. The sustainability of the ecotourism was analysed using a multivariate or multidimensional scaling (MDS) method. A Sustainability index using four scales commonly used index, as state by Gyou Ko in 2005 was also applied. The result of this study is a score of 60.5 indicating that the sustainability status of marine ecotourism in Komodo National Park in terms of integration between government-private-local communities is a potentially sustainable category.

Keywords: ecotourism, marine, sustainability, stakeholder, Komodo National Park

Topic: Marine Ecotourism (International)