Assessing the tourism economic benefits for coastal households to the sustainability of marine tourism in Pesisir Barat Regency, Lampung Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Marine tourism is one of the industries that has grown substantially during the previous decade. Pesisir Barat Regency, Lampung province, Indonesia, is a region with significant potential for marine tourism. Unfortunately, tourism has both beneficial and detrimental effects. This study intends to quantify the economic gains experienced by the locals and to diagnose the sustainability index in two separate marine tourism destinations in Pesisir Barat. Data analysis assesses the economic advantages of tourism income (sharing and covering) on household expenditure. Labuhan Jukung Beach has a tourism income contribution of more than 75% of the household income. It means that tourism is the primary income for the community. However, compared to Pulau Pisang Beach, both from tourism business actors and workers, the share and covering values obtained are low. The low economic benefits received will affect how people behave towards tourism. Since the community depends on the income from tourism, it is critical to work toward tourism sustainability and household participation due to SDGs 1 (no poverty) and 14 (life below water). The overall sustainability index in all assessment dimensions is greater at Labuhan Jukung Beach than at Pisang Island, as well as the economic benefit of tourism for the community.