PERSEPSI WISATAWAN TERHADAP PENGEMBANGAN PARIWISATA DI KABUPATEN RAJA AMPAT

Raja Ampat Islands have the extremely great potentials of marine tourism to develop as leading tourism objects. Perception of foreign and domestic tourists is necessary to find out in order that tourism development in the regency can be performed in a sustainable manner. Therefore, purpose of this study is to analyze the perception of tourists on the tourism development in Raja Ampat Regency. The study was conducted by using a descriptive qualitative method with a survey approach. Primary data collection was done by direct observation and the distribution of questionnaires, while secondary data were collected by using a documentary technique. The cross-tabulation of questionnaires-based primary data was used to present the results of study, while a qualitative technique was used to analyze the data, supported by the secondary data. Results of the study indicate that eight aspects of tourism in Raja Ampat Regency were perceived as good or as appropriate with what expected by foreign tourists, i.e.: (1) tourism and attraction object