Perception of Tourism Entrepreneurs and Transport Operators on Accessibility and Sustainable Blue Tourism in the Togean Islands, Central Sulawesi.
Taslim Bahar1 , Henny Indriyani Abulebu 2 , Ratnasari Ramlan3

1,3 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tadulako University
Jl. Soekarno-Hatta Km. 9, Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.
2 Doctoral Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tadulako University

Abstract

Tourism development in archipelagic regions depends heavily on accessible and reliable transport systems that connect island destinations with their surrounding economic centers. The Togean Islands in Central Sulawesi represent one of Indonesia^s leading marine tourism areas, yet remain constrained by limited infrastructure, fragmented intermodal integration, and uneven service quality across transport and tourism providers. This study examines the perceptions of tourism entrepreneurs and transport operators regarding accessibility, service quality, and the sustainability of blue tourism practices in the Togean Islands. A quantitative survey was conducted among local business actors including homestay owners, boat operators, UMKM entrepreneurs, and community based service providers using a Likert scale instrument complemented by open ended questions. Descriptive analysis reveals that respondents perceive transport infrastructure and route availability as only moderately adequate, with weak integration between land, sea, and air modes. Service quality indicators such as safety standards, reliability, responsiveness, and inclusiveness show varied performance across operators. Despite these challenges, tourism stakeholders express strong commitment to supporting sustainable blue tourism through local economic participation, cultural preservation, and environmentally responsible practices. The findings highlight the need for improved transport coordination, strengthened institutional support, and targeted investment to enhance accessibility and ensure long-term sustainability of marine tourism in the Togean Islands.

Keywords: : accessibility, sustainable tourism, blue economy, transport operators, tourism entrepreneurs, Togean Islands.

Topic: Tourism and Hospitality