Strategies for Maritime-Based Economic Development in Konawe Islands in Southeast Sulawesi

The purposes of this study were: (1) to draw up a scale of priority in programs (objects) for the development of maritime economy in Konawe Islands district. (2) to determine the best strategies for utilizing and increasing the carrying capacity of maritime economy so that it can contribute to revenue increase. (3) to provide stakeholders in maritime sector with a variety of data and information about maritime potentials in Konawe Islands. The study was conducted in Konawe Islands. The analytical methods used were Delphi method and SWOT analysis. Results of the study showed that: (a) To develop the maritime economy of Konawe Islands, four programs need to be given priorities, including: (i) establishment of cooperative units; (ii) empowerment of fishermen domestic economy, (iii) development of Kampadan beach as a tourism object; and (vi) development of Langara beach, (b) These programs for improving the welfare of fishermen households need to be given a special attention since fisherman is a dominant community in Konawe Islands, (c) The development of Langara Beach can become a very interesting program, for several reasons: (i) as a district capital, Langara is naturally given a priority in the development of land and coastal infrastructures; (ii) Langara beach is beautiful because it directly faces the ocean; (iii) Langara beach can be developed into an amusement site for the public, as well as a source of local people’s income and the local government’s revenue. (4) Konawe Islands has many interesting coastal tourism objects, including Tengkera Beach, Polara Beach, Lamongupa Beach, Tumbi Tumbi Beach, Kampa Beach, Tekonea Beach and Tourism Dugong. The study revealed that the government of Konawe Islands has been constrained by limited budget, so the development of maritime economy in the region needs to be done gradually