AN ASSESSMENT OF SPATIAL SUITABILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT OF CORAL REEF IN PROMOTING ECOTOURISM IN THE PAHAWANG ISLAND, INDONESIA

Abstract

Unorganized and constant changes in land use heighten flood risk in a region. Flood issues in Snorkeling tourism, which offers a range of stunning undersea natural resources, is another popular activity on Pahawang Island. Marine tourism should adhere to the idea of environmental preservation, such as avoiding harming and polluting marine habitats, in addition to helping the economy. The goal of this study is to spatially assess the condition of suitability and infrastructural support needed for coral reef ecotourism on Pahawang Island. Line Intercept Transect, coral reef ecotourism carrying capacity calculations, ArcGIS spatial processing, and infrastructure observation were the techniques employed. The findings of this study show that the value of suitability index for ecotourism involving snorkeling and diving had an average value of 2.21, falling into the appropriate category (S2) with a carrying capacity of 3,614 persons per day on an area of 90.35 Ha. Coral reef transplants, which enhance coral reef coverage, can be done to fully utilize the potential in this location in order to preserve and enhance coral reef tourist potential of Pahawang Island. There are a few things that need to be fixed in order to build integrated coral reef ecotourism management although the infrastructure was fairly good according to the findings of direct field observations. The conclusion is that, from a spatial standpoint, the suitability index and the area of snorkeling and diving ecotourism carrying capacity, as well as the supporting infrastructure, are in good condition. To enhance and advance this, integrated management and governance are necessary.