Abstract. Djunaidi A, Jompa J, Nadiarti N, Bahar A, Tilahunga SD, Lilienfeld D, Hani MS. 2020. Analysis of two whale shark watching destinations in Indonesia: status and ecotourism potential. Biodiversitas 21: 4511-4523. Botubarani in Gorontalo, on the northern coast of Tomini Bay and Labuhan Jambu in Teluk Saleh, Sumbawa recently became whale shark tourism destinations in Indonesia. Both sites offer visitors opportunities to interact with whale sharks, either watching from canoes or snorkelling and diving. In this study, we investigated the status and ecotourism potential of whale shark watching as a form of marine wildlife tourism development in eastern Indonesia by examining the existing operations in both sites. Data were collected using questionnaires administered to local community members and visitors to understand their perceptions, and how this opportunity was valued. Secondary data were collected to explore and understand influencing factors. Findings revealed that whale sharks commonly emerge near bagan lift-nets and other interactive areas as a response to the presence of their favorite prey, anchovies, and rebon shrimp. In general, whale sharks most commonly visit bagan lift nets and can be found in the interaction areas in the morning and stay for couple of hours before swimming away to deeper waters. Out of 119 community respondents in Labuhan Jambu village (Teluk Saleh) and Botubarani, Gorontalo, 80.7% knew about the occurrence of whale sharks in their locality. Of the 111 visitor respondents, 67.6% knew about the whale shark watching sites from word of mouth. The study results also suggest a correlation between chlorophyll-a concentration, anchovies, rebon shrimp and whale sharks. Regarding management approaches to this type of tourism, a local community-based management model is strongly recommended, with 87.4% of respondents showing interest in this approach. The roles and responsibility of local government in developing such tourism is very significant, especially with respect to facilitating appropriate competency within the local community throughout training and education, as suggested by nearly 26% of respondents.

Whale shark tourism is a growing industry in the world. This study aimed to determine the benefits local people earn from whale shark tourism at two sites in Indonesia, Botubarani in Gorontalo Province and Labuhan Jambu, Teluk Saleh, Nusa Tenggara Barat Province. This study involved dive centres, fishermen, community tourism groups, village enterprises (BUMDES), home stay owners, car rental companies, boat owners, lift net owners, snorkelling equipment rental businesses and ecotourism operators. In Botubarani, dive centres sold whale shark watching dive trips for US$42.3/pax, and snorkelling trips for US$23/pax, of which, US$4.6 and US$2.7 went to the Pokdarwis, and US$33.5 to the dive centre. For nondivers, trips cost US$11.5, of which US$1.5 was for whale shark bait, US$1.5 went to the Pokdarwis, and US$4.6 to fishermen. Whale shark watchers in Labuhan Jambu paid US$211.5-US$270 to ecotourism operators plus US$7.7/pax to the BUMDES. From that money, US$119 was paid to lift net owners, US$42 to boat operators, and US$19.2-US$76.9 to ecotourism operators. On average, car rental companies received US$46.1, home stays received US$7.6, and US$11.5 was paid for rental equipment.

Hiu paus (Rhincodon typus) merupakan spesies ikan terbesar di dunia yang tidak bersifat agresif bagi manusia sehingga menjadi ikon wisata yang diminati. Keberadaan hiu paus menjadi magnet wisata dan mengubah Desa Botubarani dari desa nelayan biasa menjadi desa wisata yang ramai. Namun, Pandemi Covid19 menjadi pukulan yang telak bagi pariwisata hiu paus di pantai Desa Botubarani. Wisatawan yang berkurang sangat drastis tidak hanya menghilangkan pendapatan wisata namun juga aktivitas pemantauan hiu paus turut terhenti. Rintisan Normal Baru pemerintah menjadi harapan kembalinya gairah pariwisata hiu paus di pantai Desa Botubarani. Persiapan dibukanya PPKM (Pemberlakuan Pembatasan Kegiatan Masyarakat) di daerah asal wisatawan dan permudahan perjalan dalam/luar negeri akan disambut dengan penigkatan kualitas dan inovasi wisata hiu paus di Pantai Botubarani. Selain itu, adaptasi wisata di masa pandemi dengan memanfaatkan internet cukup menjanjikan sehingga wisata akan tetap hidup. Desa Inovasi Botubarani mengembangkan siaran langsung jelajah virtual bawah air dengan objek hiu paus secara berkala di alam liar. Pengembangan ini adalah yang pertama di indonesia karena belum pernah dilakukan sebelumnya. Pemanfaatan televisi sirkuit tertutup atau closed circuit television (CCTV) bawah air yang dapat diakses di darat dan terintegrasi dengan internet memungkinkan hiu paus di Pantai Botubarani dapat dinikmati oleh siapapun dan dimanapun. Desa dan masyarakat di Pantai Botubarani dapat menerima masukan dari perkembangan wisata yang berlangsung dari wisatawan yang datang maupun secara virtual. Wisatawan juga mungkin akan tertarik untuk datang setelah melihat siaran langsung hiu paus di pantai Desa Botubarani. Selain itu, perekaman video secara langsung hiu paus juga dapat dimanfaatkan oleh pihak intelektual, pemerintah dan industri sebagai bagian dari kolaborasi triple helix.