Key elements structure in mangrove ecotourism management of Peropa’ea Protected Forest in North Buton Regency

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystem in Peropa’ea protected forest area has an aesthetic landscape that has a potential to be developed as ecotourism. The development of ecotourism in the protected forest area of Peropa’ea as a utilization effort of environmental services is a better strategy because it may reduce pressure on mangrove forest resources and bring socio-economic benefits to the community and area. The Peropa’ea Protected Forest Management Unit (KPHL) has prepared a service business plan environment in the form of “Banda Kawasa” mangrove ecotourism for the period 2015 to 2025. Some steps needed to be studied such as key elements in the development and management of mangrove ecotourism. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify elements and sub-elements in the development and management of mangrove ecotourism. The method used in this research was Interpretative Structural Modelling (ISM) with an element of related institutions, constraints, objectives, and priority programs in the development and management of mangrove ecotourism. The results indicated that the Provincial Forestry Office and Forest Management Unit (KPHL) Peropa’ea were the institutional key player in the development and management of mangrove ecotourism. Limited funding and supporting infrastructure for mangrove ecotourism was the main management constraint, and the program priority was to develop an integrated and sustainable mangrove ecotourism management plan. Therefore, it is recommended to improve the coordination among related institutions to develop and maintain the sustainability of mangrove ecotourism in this area.