Social-ecological outcomes of conservation-based tourism in marine protected areas: evidence from Raja Ampat, Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47540/ijsei.v7i2.2874Keywords:
Conservation-based Tourism, Marine Protected Areas, Social-Ecological System, Sustainable Coastal DevelopmentAbstract
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are increasingly expected to deliver both biodiversity conservation and community development; however, evidence integrating ecological, socio-economic, and governance outcomes remains limited, particularly in biodiversity-rich archipelagic regions such as Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This study examines the social-ecological outcomes of conservation-based tourism using a Social-Ecological Systems (SES) framework. A convergent mixed-methods design combined a structured 36-item Benefits of Marine Protected Areas (MKK) Index with in-depth interviews involving 104 respondents across seven districts of the Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area. Descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis were integrated to assess livelihood transformation, perceived benefits, governance, equity, resilience, and sustainability. The findings indicate that conservation-based tourism has generated positive social-ecological outcomes (overall MKK Index = 3.83/5), particularly through livelihood diversification, local economic opportunities, and strengthened community adaptation. Nevertheless, benefits remain unevenly distributed, while governance challenges—including limited participation, unequal benefit sharing, and transparency—continue to constrain inclusive conservation outcomes. The study advances the SES literature by integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence through a multidimensional assessment framework, providing practical guidance for strengthening equitable governance and community-based tourism. These findings offer nationally relevant evidence to support more inclusive and adaptive marine conservation policies in Indonesia.
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