Marine Ecotourism Development Analysis in South Sulawesi

Land based development pt:ority tends to ignore marine resources development, especially marine ecotourism. The study analyzed marine ecotourism development prospect in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The study was conducted in four districts, namely: Pangkep, Makassar, Takalar and Selayar. This study planned to analyze marine and coastal resources that could support the marine ecotourism development in South Sulawesi. Indonesia. Tic study aims to: (1) analyze comprehensively marine ecotourism development problem; (2) formulate alternative recommendation for marine ecotourism development. The parameters observed are: (1) natural resources and services of coastal ecosystem; (2) socioeconomic condition; (3) regional infrastructure condition; (4) available development policy concerning Small Island and coastal area; and ( 5) condition of micro, small, medium business and co-operative. Sampling unit for socioeconomic parameter was fishermen, merchants and non-formal leaders. Purposive method was used to collect primary data for about five percent of relevant population. The study revealed that marine ecotourism development problem is: (1) low capacity in natural and marine resources management; (2) low local community participation; (3) limited infrastructure availability; (4) weak capacity of local community institutional, and (5) insufficient local community contribution. Marine ecotourism development should be focused on tools development for sustainable use, infrastructure development, socioeconomic development, and consistent policy implementatio