Ecotourism Development in Bangka Islands: An Exploratory Study on Participation and Expectations of Local Stakeholders

Abstract

Participation and expectations in the discourse of local ecotourism development are important and strategic aspects that need to be seriously addressed and managed. Both have close relation in the succession of local ecotourism. Bangka Belitung Islands in recent years has continued to make various efforts to optimize various local ecotourism development and development spaces, particularly in the context of preparing post-tin economy. Of course there are so many challenges and issues related to the process of local socio-economic transformation on the island of Bangka, especially the transition from the era of extractivism to tourism. In the midst of stretching the local government that continues to initiate and optimize various destinations and attractions that are quite potential and varied on Bangka Island, it is necessary to design policies that also address from various views, criticisms, aspirations and constructive input, both from the public, the government, local ecotourism actors and stakeholders. Based from this context, this study seeks to explore in depth related to the reality of participation and expectations that have surfaced at the local ecotourism level so far. This study in turn also aims to examine critically related various input, ideas, and narrative-constructive notes in the flow of local ecotourism management. Through a qualitative analysis method with an in-depth and structured interview approach, and strengthened by in-depth observations in the field, this study concludes that the context of participation and coordination among stakeholders has begun to develop, but it still seems to be not optimal because it tends to 'run' individually. This research also concludes that at least an important problem that arises is the unequal context of inter-regional ecotourism development in accordance with the varied potential of each region. In addition, there are weaknesses in terms of infrastructure and ecotourism infrastructure and access to transportation that is still limited or not sufficient enough for high tourist mobility. Furthermore, there are still some weaknesses related to governance and optimizing the potential for local ecotourism, both physical and non-physical aspects, which in fact require serious attention and cooperation through integrative commitments and interwoven strategic alliances, both by local governments, ecotourism actors, mass media, and all tourism stakeholders on Bangka Island.