Judul: Ecotourism Development Strategy in the Dampier Strait Marine Conservation Area Southwest Papua Province
Abstrak: The Dampier Strait regional conservation area is one of the conservation areas included in the Raja Ampat Regency marine conservation area, which has high potential for developing tourism activities. The most important aspect in the use of natural resources for tourism purposes is their suitability to support tourism activities. The challenge faced is the difficulty if the potential for beach tourism, snorkeling and diving to be developed simultaneously The aim of this research is to determine areas for ecotourism and recommend appropriate locations. Data analysis is determining ecotourism areas using the Technique For Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). TOPSIS is used because it is able to rank the selected alternatives that are closest to the positive ideal and furthest from the negative ideal solution. The criteria used are tourist carrying capacity, accommodation, accessibility, number of international tourists, number of domestic tourists and suitability area. The results of this TOPSIS analysis are that Sauwandarek, Marandanweser and Arborek are areas that can be used as an alternative areas for carrying out beach tourism, snorkeling and diving activities. Areas that can be developed into ecotourism activities are Yeben Kecil and Tanjung Putus., The Dampier Strait Regional Marine Conservation Area (KKPD) is one of the conservation areas included in the Raja Ampat Regency Marine Conservation Area which has high potential for developing ecotourism activities. The most important aspect of the use of natural resources for ecotourism purposes is the suitability that supports ecotourism activities. The challenge faced is the difficulty if the potential for beach tourism, snorkeling and diving are to be developed simultaneously. Therefore, it is important to have an ecotourism development strategy in conservation areas. This research aims to evaluate the suitability and carrying capacity, determine alternative areas for ecotourism activities, and formulate ecotourism management strategies in the Dampier Strait. The research was carried out in September 2021 in several areas in the Dampier Strait, namely Yeben Besar, Yeben Kecil, Tanjung Putus, Arborek, Friwen, Sauwandarek, Waiweser, Yenbekwan, Marandanweser, Yef Adoak, and Dayan. Activities carried out include collecting data on the suitability of beach tourism, snorkeling, and diving, as well as direct observations to determine alternative tourism areas and ecotourism management strategies. The research results show that not all research areas can be used for beach, snorkeling and coastal tourism activities. Dayan is very suitable for beach tourism, snorkeling and diving, because the area has suitable values for the three ecotourism activities. However, it is also necessary to know the carrying capacity of each region, so that the visitor capacity does not exceed the carrying capacity of the region. Based on calculations of carrying capacity for beach activities, snorkeling and diving, it shows that many visitors can carry out tourist activities in the area. The largest beach carrying capacity is at Sauwandarek at 68,976 visitors/year, the largest snorkeling capacity is at Waiweser at 2,712 visitors/year, and the largest diving carrying capacity is at Dayan at 190 visitors/year. Alternative areas obtained through the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis are Sauwandarek, Marandanweser, and Arborek. The main strategy that
Keyword: Ekowisata, konservasi, pesisir, Strategi