Surf tourism and sustainable community development in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia: a multiple stakeholder perspective

Abstract

Goal and objectives of the dissertationGoalThe overall aim of this doctoral study is to identify and explore stakeholder perceptions of surf tourism development in the Mentawai Islands, and to examine the issues and interrelationships that shape tourism development in the region.Objectives1. To examine the characteristics of surf tourists visiting the Mentawai Islands and to gain deeper insights into how they perceive the environmental, social and economic impacts of their travel.2. To explore how government officials, surf tour operators, surf journalists and NGO employees perceive tourism and surf tourism development in the Mentawai Islands, and to examine their attitudes towards tourism management, stakeholder participation and the future development of the surf tourism.3. To gain an understanding of how Mentawai communities perceive tourists and tourism development. What is the host population's view on current surf tourism and their participation in its development? What benefits or challenges has it brought?4. To examine the common themes and key differences that emerge from the analysis, and to identify some potential approaches to enhance the future management in the industry.MethodologyThe methodology used in this doctoral study follows the interpretive paradigm and grounded theory approach. This research employed the process of triangulation using multiple methods, including the data-collection techniques of informal observation, online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Between the 8th of July and the 25th of September 2010, 72 in-depth community interviews and 36 online questionnaires were completed. The study design focuses on the interviewing process undertaken with each of the individual stakeholder groups: local community; government; operators and surfing tourists. The case study region of the Mentawai Islands are examined in detail, investigating the Islands' history, culture, tourism development and the subsequent formation of the surf tourism industry.ResultsThis study found the general demographic profile of surf tourists travelling to the Mentawais was Australian or American, well-educated middle-aged males with high discretionary income, commonly travelling in groups and staying for an average of 12 nights. Most travelled on inclusive package deals, with very few being independent travellers opting to stay in local homestays. Those on package holidays had a marginally lower daily local expenditure (US$21) than independent travellers (US$22). The majority of surf tourists travelling to the Mentawais could be classed as seekers, motivated by pull factors such as surfing high-quality waves, the warm tropical climate and the islands' remote location. Very few were motivated by a desire to experience the indigenous culture, although they did say it was a dimension of their surf holiday they would be interested in exploring.Industry stakeholder perceptions were mixed regarding surf tourism development in the Mentawai Islands. Government officials and charter boat operators thought the surf tourism industry had developed in an unsustainable manner, due to the failure of the MMTA and government corruption, which did not effectively manage the region. Conversely, resort operators perceived the surf tourism industry had developed sustainably and was well within carrying capacities. Charter boat and resort operators overwhelmingly thought the greatest barrier to creating a more sustainable surf tourism industry was the current inadequate regulation by the local Mentawai government. Other obstacles identified were corruption, the logistics required to implement an effective management system, and limited human resources.Local community members interviewed at all four study villages thought tourists were a very positive force in their communities due to the economic benefits produced by their travel. There was, however, a variation in the study villages' perceptions of tourism development. …