Society Reception on the Marine Ecotourism in Minneapolitan Region of Sidoarjo District

ABSTRACT----Marine Ecotourism in Sidoarjo has a highly prospective potential if it is managed properly. The prospect can be seen from the realization of the increase of the tourist arrivals from 2011 to 2014. This study aims to analyze and describe the potential of the local economy, the public reception of marine ecotourism, empowerment and community participation, as well as the influence of the reception to the public participation in the development of marine ecotourism sustainably. This quantitative research sample is as many as 260 respondents who were obtained from three loci, namely Sedati, Candi, and Jabon sub-district. The primary data was taken by using simple random sampling. The collected data is then coded and analyzed with descriptive statistics technique and multiple linear regressions. The results showed that the assets held by the public in the Minneapolitan such as financial, human resources, and physical are good. Social asset for the development of ecotourism in the Minneapolitanis excellent.Reception, empowerment, and public participation in the development of marine ecotourism are also included in good category. Factors that affect the people's participation in development in sustainable marine ecotourism assets are reception and empowerment. Keywords---- maritime ecotourism, potential of local economy, receptions, empowerment, community participatio