The Management Concept of Mountain-Based Destination through Carrying Capacity Analysis

Abstract

The increasing number of tourists and the intensive development of infrastructure can lead to the decline of the carrying capacity, especially if ignoring the concept of sustainable management. The preservation aspect embellishes the focal concern in mountainous areas, while the increasing number of tourists has become the main reason to gain financial benefits. The research aims to assess the carrying capacity level in Situ Patengang Nature Park, Bandung. The study was carried out using a descriptive-explanatory approach with three different analytic methods: 1) GIS analysis to map the carrying capacity zones, 2) Important-Performance comparison analysis to assess the management performance, and 3) Triangulation analysis to arrange the tourism development concept. The results show that most Situ Patengang Nature Park areas have low carrying capacity, medium quality of the environment, high tolerance of natural resources, less dispersion of tourist activities, fewer benefits of natural resources, and low environmental management. The development concept of Situ Patengang Nature Park should apply the five principles of ecotourism which lead to ecologically, financially, and socially sustainable activities. For the zonation, the management should bind the core zone in high carrying capacity zones, a service zone in the medium carrying capacity zone, and a buffer zone in the low carrying capacity zone.