ECOTOURISM PRINCIPLES: APPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT IN MARINE ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT

Abstract Ecotourism is a form of tourism management that focuses on nature conservation, but not all managers apply the principles of ecotourism correctly. The purpose of this study is to describe the principles of ecotourism, and the application and assessment of marine ecotourism management. The research method is done by survey, observation and interview. Respondents in this study consisted of ecotourism managers, communities and stakeholders related to tourism. The analytical method uses descriptive analysis of ecotourism principles and assesses the level of suitability of its management. The results showed that the principles of ecotourism became the rules of the game in ecotourism management. There are 5 principles of ecotourism, namely the principle of conservation, participation, recreation and education, economy, and control. Each of these principles has explicit criteria and its measurement attributes are clearly defined. All principles have been implemented properly, except the economic principle and control