The role of local adaptive capacity in marine ecotourism scenarios

Abstract

Understanding and enhancing local adaptive capacity is crucial for the sustainable development of marine ecotourism. This research explores the adaptive capacities of local stakeholders in the West Bali National Park (WBNP), Indonesia, focusing on marine ecotourism. The research uses a mixed-methods approach, combining stakeholder interviews and a comprehensive questionnaire based on the choice experiment method. This approach ensures a holistic exploration of the dynamics of marine ecotourism in the WBNP. The investigation focuses on three key scenarios: understanding the evolving needs of contemporary tourism facilities (infrastructure adaptability), promoting the integration of indigenous traditions into ecotourism ventures (cultural consciousness), and combining both infrastructural and cultural aspects into a comprehensive adaptive strategy (holistic approach). The insights gathered in this research serve as a guide for marine ecotourism strategies, emphasizing the importance of innovative and adaptive approaches for the future of sustainable ecotourism in the WBNP.