Visitor perspectives and satisfaction index towards ecotourism potential in the Leang-Leang Prehistoric Park, Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park

Abstract

The Leang-Leang prehistoric park is one of four leading destinations in Bantimurung Bulusarung National Park, however, the evaluation of visitor perspectives and satisfaction index in this site were still limited. This study aimed to analyze the importance-performance analysis based on visitor perspectives and to assess visitor satisfaction index in the Leang-Leang destination. Fifty people selected through convenience sampling method were involved as respondents. Consumer perspective assessment was focused on 33 ecotourism potential subcomponents and the scoring method referred to Likert scale, prior to group into the IPA matrix/Cartesian diagram. The visitor satisfaction assessment was calculated based on the formula of customer satisfaction index. The result showed that there were 7 ecotourism potential subcomponents that need to be prioritized by managerial team, i.e local cultural arts, guide and interpreter, public lavatory, garbage dump, rest area, security facility (tourist police) and shopping facility. Flora attraction, panorama, specific attraction, historical heritage, hospitality of local people, the easiness access to locations, the easiness access to get information about the distance from the nearest city, brochures, maps or other directions, clean water availability, service, care and skill of human resource had been already in the good condition, so keep up the good work. Fauna attraction, local traditions and customs, festival, carvings and crafts, local food, homestay, hotel, camping ground, the easiness access to get transportation, telephone, faximile or internet and health facility were included in low priority subcomponents. Moreover, cultural landscape, local people daily life and transportation costs were categorized as possible overkill subcomponent. The score of visitor satisfaction index was 55.57 and categorized as a moderate satisfaction level.