Evaluating Coastal Area Suitability and Ecological Carrying Capacity in Topejawa Village, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Marine and coastal tourism has rapidly emerged as promising sectors with the potential to drive sustainable regional development. Achieving the status of a sustainable tourist destination requires adherence to specific criteria, particularly concerning the ecological carrying capacity of tourism activities. This study aims to evaluate the suitability and carrying capacity of beach tourism in Topejawa Village, Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, focusing on recreation and swimming activities. Data were collected from eight strategically located observation stations along the beach area from March to August 2022. Using the Tourism Suitability Index (TSI), we assessed ten parameters to evaluate the beach’s physical condition. Additionally, we conducted an analysis of the Ecological Carrying Capacity (ECC) to determine the maximum number of visitors that the tourist area can sustainably accommodate for recreation and swimming activities. Our findings indicate that Topejawa beach area’s stations I, III, and IV were classified as ‘suitable’ with TSI values ranging from 1.8 to 2.1 across all stations. The ecological carrying capacity analysis revealed that the beach can accommodate up to 1,257 individuals per day for recreation and 15,171 for swimming activities. We recommend the period from March to November for beach tourism due to favorable weather conditions. These results demonstrate the significant potential of Topejawa Village for sustainable ecotourism development, emphasizing the importance of ecological carrying capacity assessments and sustainable tourism practices. As coastal tourism continues to thrive, this study provides valuable insights for the responsible management and growth of Topejawa’s beach recreation tourism industry.