MANAGING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OF PERAWAN BEACH, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA BASED ON THE COASTAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICE (CES) APPROACH
Authors:   State University of Malang, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Malang City, Indonesia, e-mail: adellia.wardatus.2207219@students.um.ac.id, SHOLEHA Adellia Wardatus , SUMARMI Sumarmi ,   State University of Malang, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Science, Malang City, Indonesia, e-mail: sumarmi.fis.um.ac.id
Published: January 2025

Coastal tourism at Perawan Beach in Malang Regency, East Java, presents both opportunities and sustainability challenge.
The main challenge is that sustainable ecotourism often struggles with economic viability. Intense competition from more accessible
destinations, which may disregard ecosystems, presents a major challenge. This research aims to (1) describe current activities at
Perawan Beach, (2) identify tourism and other human activity threats to coastal ecosystems, and (3) explore coastal opportunities
through a coastal ecosystem service approach for societal benefit. This study using the Coastal Ecosystem Service (CES) approach,
involved interviews and observations to assess stakeholder perceptions, tourism threats, and opportunities. Following CES
indicators, this study is based on grounded theory. The data collection technique was based on semi-structured interviews involving
10 stakeholders. Findings indicate that CES can enhance beach tourism sustainability by involving communities, protecting natural
resources, and promoting fair economic growth. CES supports long-term environmental management and local well-being by
integrating provision, regulation, support, and cultural services. The key focus is managing events and regulating the climate in
coastal tourism areas. In order to educate visitors on coastal vegetation and sustainable fisheries. CES opportunities span diverse
coastal ecosystems, including beaches, estuaries, forests, wetlands, and floodplains. The main initiatives were building Ocean Farms
and following virtual reality promotions, promising steps for sustainable beach tourism. Ocean Farms offers hospitality services for
tourism, such as floating hotels, and provides education on sustainable fisheries management. The development of Ocean Farms also
represents support from academics, researchers, stakeholder collaborations, and the local government, all of whom are committed to
the sustainability of this tourism initiative. The main challenges in developing Perawan Beach as a sustainable tourism
destination include infrastructure problems, ineffective promotion, and geographic conditions that limit certain water tourism
activities. However, there are great opportunities through a coastal ecosystem services (CES) approach, which emphasises the
importance of environmental maintenance and education on coastal vegetation management. This beach has potential for further
development in sustainable marine tourism while preserving its ecological services. Its natural wealth, including the Gondang
Wetan Estuary and Pedotan Lagoon, supports water-based tourism activities. Based on CES indicators, the area is strong in
providing food resources, biological assets, regulatory functions, and opportunities for coastal conservation and education.