Coastal Tourism Development Strategy at Arar White Sand Beach, Sorong Regency, to Encourage Tourist Interest
Keywords:
Arar White Sand Beach, Ecotourism, Tourism ManagementAbstract
Arar White Sand Beach is a coastal tourist destination renowned for its natural beauty and strategic value for tourism development in Sorong Regency. Despite its significant potential, the management of this tourist area still faces various challenges, such as limited facilities, low promotional intensity, and a lack of local community involvement in tourism activities. This study aims to identify existing conditions, analyse management strategies, and formulate a direction for coastal tourism development at Arar White Sand Beach to increase visitor interest. The research method employed was a descriptive qualitative approach that included field observations, interviews with managers, local residents, and tourists, as well as a literature review on sustainable tourism management. The results indicate that management aspects remain ineffective, particularly in terms of area management, infrastructure provision, and promotional governance. Furthermore, the involvement of the local community remains limited to informal activities, which fail to significantly contribute to economic development. Recommended development strategies include: (1) improving basic infrastructure and tourism facilities, such as road access, rest areas, sanitation areas, and information centres; (2) digital promotion based on social media and tourism networks; and (3) community empowerment through the development of creative economic enterprises based on marine products and handicrafts. and (4) the application of ecotourism principles oriented toward environmental sustainability and active community participation. Implementation of this strategy is expected to strengthen the tourist appeal of Arar White Sand Beach, increase tourist visits, and positively impact the well-being of coastal communities. With proper management and development, Arar White Sand Beach has the potential to become a leading coastal tourism destination in Southwest Papua, providing not only a recreational experience but also supporting sustainable tourism development in Sorong Regency.
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