Ecotourism Development Model Based on Disaster Risk Reduction in an Ecotourism Site in Indonesia

Abstract

Ecotourism is one of the sectors that is expected to contribute towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Ecotourism development should consider disaster risk due to its direct impact on human safety and the environment. This study aims to develop an ecotourism development model based on disaster risk reduction in the Gunung Ciremai National Park (GCNP) and its buffer zone. The model was developed based on the supply and demand analysis. Land suitability analysis was used to estimate ecotourism supply using spatial analysis, combined with multiple-criteria decision analysis. Four parameters with 11 sub-parameters were used in the spatial analysis. Demand was examined by measuring tourist preferences. This study found that only 0.18% of GCNP and its buffer zone are classified as unsuitable for ecotourism development and most of the areas falls under the marginally suitable category. Increasing restoration rate and lowering the allowable development area can expand it carrying capacity from 5.62 million to 5.70 million people per year under the moderate scenario and 5.96 million people per year in the optimistic scenario using a 40-year simulation. Disasters risk can also be reduced by embedding mitigation of and adaptation to disasters in ecotourism management planning.