Assessing the readiness paradox of coastal ecotourism: A socio-technical evaluation of natural attraction versus infrastructure capability
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61511/jssew.v3i2.2026.2314Keywords:
ecotourism, feasibility, Kampa Beach, potential, sustainable developmentAbstract
Background: This study aims to assess the feasibility status of the development plan for Kampa Beach, a coastal destination located in Wawobili Village, West Wawonii District, within the administrative area of Konawe Islands Regency, Indonesia. Method: The study utilized a combination of purposive sampling for stakeholders, accidental sampling for 15 visitors, and a 10% sample of the 270 local residents in Wawobili Village. The research employed the ADO-ODTWA Guidelines as the methodological framework, applying seven established assessment criteria to evaluate the site’s potential for sustainable ecotourism development. Finding: The findings reveal that the Kampa Beach Tourism Area is feasible and holds strong potential to be developed into a premier ecotourism destination. The natural tourism attraction aspect achieved a very high index score of 85.14%, followed by accessibility with 82.26%. However, the accommodation availability criterion showed a relatively low score of 33.33%, while supporting facilities and infrastructure scored 60%, placing it in a mid-range category. The security criterion recorded the highest score of 91.66%, supported by environmental conditions and local community support (90%) and linkages to nearby tourist attractions (77.5%). While five criteria meet the requirements for full development, the lack of lodging and basic amenities requires immediate intervention. Conclusion: The composite calculation of all indicators yields a final average score of 74.27%, confirming Kampa Beach’s feasibility as a potential ecotourism area. The results also highlight key areas requiring priority interventions to ensure optimal and sustainable development. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study identifies a unique readiness paradox in Wawobili Village, where the natural attractiveness and community safety indices have reached elite levels (above 90%), but are hampered by severe delays in accommodation infrastructure (33%). Unlike general tourism reviews, this study identifies specific socio-technical barriers that must be overcome to transform this remote coastal site into a sustainable premier destination.
References
Akhy, A., & Roy, M. (2020). Socio-economic Impacts of Accommodation on Tourism Development: Bangladesh Perspective (pp. 51–71). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003007241-7
Anderson, C. M., Das, C., & Tyrrell, T. J. (2006). Parking Preferences Among Tourists in Newport, Rhode Island. Transportation Research Part A-Policy and Practice, 40(4), 334–353. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TRA.2005.06.005
Arikunto, S. (2006). Research Procedures: A Practical Approach. Rineka Cipta.
Astratova, G., Pavlenko, I., Kireeva, M. M., Vostrova, A. P., & Bukreev, I. A. (2022). Overview of the Current State and Problems of Accommodation Facilities Development in the Regions of the Central Federal District of the Russian Federation. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.220106.024
Avi, A. R. (2023). Issues affecting tourists’ satisfaction at Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh: Empirical evidence and suggestions. Tourism in Marine Environments, 18(1–2), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3727/154427323X16835293069953
Citra, I. P. A. (2016). Pemetaan Potensi Ekowisata Wilayah Pesisir Di Kabupaten Buleleng. Jurnal Ilmu Sosisal dan Humaniora, 5(1). https://ejournal.undiksha.ac.id/index.php/JISH/article/view/8280
Damayanti, R. A., & Puspitasari, A. Y. (2024). Kajian Potensi Daya Tarik Wisata Heritage di Indonesia. Jurnal Kajian Ruang, 4(1), 13. https://doi.org/10.30659/jkr.v4i1.36639
Dittmar, J. F. (2022). Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development. IntechOpen eBooks. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108264
Fitrian, K., Husni, H., & Siahaan, S. (2020). Assessment of the Attractiveness of Beach Tourism Objects in Temajuk Village, Paloh District, Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan. Jurnal Hutan Lestari, 8(1), 171-179. https://jurnal.untan.ac.id/index.php/jmfkh/article/view/39392
Fitriyani. (2021). Feasibility of Ecotourism Development on Harapan Island, Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park, in the National Park Management Section (SPTN) Region 1, Pewutaa Village, Angata District, South Konawe Regency. Halu Oleo University.
Karsudi., R., Soekmadi., & Kartodihardjo, H. (2010). Strategi Pengembangan Ekowisata di Kabupaten Kepulauan Yapen Provinsi Papua. Media Konservasi Journal. 16(3). https://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/jmht/article/view/3178
Kiper, T. (2013). Role of Ecotourism in Sustainable Development. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/55749
Korablinov, A. (2024). Problems of Accessibility and Comfort of Tourist Infrastructure Facilities for the Development of Automobile Tourism in Russia. Научные Исследования и Разработки. https://doi.org/10.12737/2587-9111-2024-12-5-14-20
Longo-Sarachaga, J., & Paradinas Márquez, M. del C. (2025). Bridging Research and Practice in Sustainable Tourism: The Case of Spain. Sustainability, 17(19), 8570. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198570
Mali, B. (2023). Biodiversity Conservation and Tourism Sustainability in Africa. In book: Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Africa’s Biological Resources and Environment (pp. 35–60). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-6974-4_2
Mashapa, M. M., & Atanga, R. A. (2023). Geographic Information Systems: A Toolbox for Sustainable Tourism in Southern Africa. African Journal of Hospitality Tourism and Leisure, 12(4), 1192-1209. https://doi.org/10.46222/ajhtl.19770720.425
Ministry of Forestry. (2003). Guidelines for Analyzing Natural Tourism Attraction Operation Areas. Directorate of Nature Tourism and Environmental Services Utilization, Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation. Indonesia Ministry of Forestry.
Nafi, M., Supriadi, B., & Roedjinandari, N. (2017). Regional Ecotourism Development. Bunga Rampai Book Publisher.
OECD. (2023). Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2023: Reviving Tourism Post-Pandemic. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/3a3d08ed-en
Ollivaud, P., & Haxton, P. (2019). Making the most of tourism in Indonesia to promote sustainable regional development. Research Papers in Economics. https://doi.org/10.1787/C73325D9-EN
Rakhmonov, S. (2024). Ecotourism as a way of sustainable tourism development of the region. Nashr qilingan, 283–286. https://doi.org/10.60078/2024-vol2-issd-pp283-286
Rohoza, M., & Stolyarchuk, V. (2022). Development Opportunities for the Accommodation Industry: Evidence from European Countries. European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, 12(1), 12–30. https://doi.org/10.2478/ejthr-2022-0001
Seervi, P. (2023). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2023.v05i05.7049
Štajdohar, V. S. (2019). Availability and quality of parking facilities in tourist destinations. University Nort. https://repozitorij.unin.hr/islandora/object/unin:2951/datastream/PDF/download
Sumariadhi, N. W. (2023). Green Tourism: Promoting Sustainable Practices for a Responsible Future. 1(1), 19–25. https://doi.org/10.25078/ijoss.v1i1.2976
Syafruddin, S., & Badollahi, M. Z. (2023). West Sulawesi Maritime Tourism Development Strategy. International Journal Papier Public Review. https://doi.org/10.47667/ijppr.v4i3.243
Tatwadyatmika, A. D. P., & Millanyani, H. (2025). Competitiveness Analysis of Indonesia’s Super-Priority Tourism Destinations: a Big Data Approach to International Tourist Perceptions. American Journal of Economic and Management Business, 4(9), 1506–1523. https://doi.org/10.58631/ajemb.v4i9.291
UNEP. (2023). Measuring Progress: Water-related ecosystems and the SDGs. United Nations Environment Programme.
Vasiliev, E., & Guryeva, E. (2020). Accommodation Facilities as the Most Important Factor of the Development of the Territory’s Tourist Potential. СОЦИОЛОГИЯ И СОЦИАЛЬНЫЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИ, 4, 33–41. https://doi.org/10.15688/LP.JVOLSU.2020.4.3
Vu, N. H., & Chu, H. W. (2025). Improving State Management on Sustainable Tourism Accommodation Development in Vietnam: From a Business Perspective. EAI Endorsed Transactions on Tourism, Technology and Intelligence, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.4108/eettti.6818
World Tourism Organization. (2022). UNWTO World Tourism Barometer and Statistical Annex, May 2022. World Tourism Barometer, 20(3), 1–40. https://10.18111/wtobarometereng.2022.20.1.3
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Deriana Impiana, Kahirun Kahirun, Safril Kasim, La Gandri, Eka Rahmatiah Tuwu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
