STAKEHOLDERS’ ATTITUDE TOWARD ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN RINJANI-LOMBOK GEOPARK: THE EVIDENCE FROM MOUNT RINJANI NATIONAL PARK

Based on stakeholder and social exchange theory, this study examined a model of the re­la­tionship between stakeholder awareness, perception of impact (environmental, economic, and socio-cultural), and attitude toward ecotourism development in Mount Rinjani National Park (MRNP). The model was tested using a sample of 157 stakeholders. Data were collected by surveying and analyzing using the partial least squares. The results showed that only perception of the economic impacts of ecotourism partially mediated the relationship between awareness and attitude toward ecotourism development. From the perspective of stakeholder theory, the perceived impacts are he­terogeneous. These differences will determine their attitude toward the level of support and parti­ci­pation. From the perspective of social exchange theory, the study showed that attitude toward eco­tourism development is directly influenced by awareness of ecotourism and the perception of eco­nomic impact. The stakeholders on MRNT have a more compromising attitude toward ecotourism development to the socio-cultural and environmental impacts

Analyzing residents’ preferences to ecotourism impacts using simple additive weighting: The case of Mount Rinjani National Park, Indonesia

Under the more current paradigm of protected area management, which takes a more integrated approach to conservation and development opportunities, residents are now seen as co-managers of protected areas. Through the Social Representation Theory, Rational Choice Theory, and Social Identity Theory, this study aims to identify the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of ecotourism perceived by the residents and their priorities/preferences in Mount Rinjani National Park (MNRP). This study employed the qualitative method (phase 1) and the quantitative method (phase 2). Phase 1 collected primary data through focus group discussion (FGD). The FGD was conducted with 7 participants who were chosen using judgment sampling. Data in the FGD were transcribed and analyzed with content analysis. Results of the analysis in phase 1 were utilized as the basis for analysis in phase 2. Phase 2 collected the data from a survey. Due to the homogeneity of the population, 30 respondents were chosen as the sample using purposive sampling. Data of the survey were analyzed with simple additive weighting. The results showed that the highest preference of the residents was economic impacts, followed by the social-cultural and environmental impacts. From the perspective of Social Representation Theory, it can explain how different people understand and respond to social issues in a community. From the perspective of Rational Choice Theory and Social Identity Theory, although economic impacts rank first, social interest comes first instead of individual interest. Finally, the results of this study can be used as a guide for both the national government (MNRP) and local government (the Culture and Tourism Board) regard to how residents behave towards ecotourism development.</p