Prospective analysis of sustainable mangrove ecotourism development policy

Abstract

The Bandar Bakau area of Dumai City is very strategic to be used as an international tourism development area, because Dumai City is located in the international trade cross-country area of the Melaka Strait. The impact of Dumai City being made a special economic zone is the destruction of mangrove areas, so that the environment becomes unsustainable. To maintain environmental sustainability, a policy is needed that combines tourism potential with environmental sustainability, such as an ecotourism development policy. Ecotourism has emerged as a sustainable approach to tourism development that emphasizes the conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage while promoting community engagement and economic growth. The aim of the research is to formulate sustainable ecotourism development policies. The method used is a mix method using prospective analysis. Prospective analysis can offer future-oriented policy frameworks for stakeholders to ensure environmental sustainability. The findings reveal stakeholders’ concern for mangrove areas through education and research, rich arts and cultural heritage, as well as tourism potential in Bandar Bakau Dumai, indicating that ecotourism-based area development policies are very possible to be developed sustainably.