Integrating Social–Ecological Systems and SEM-PLS Analysis in Formulating Sustainable Marine Ecotourism Development Strategies: Evidence from Lihaga Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Christover Alfarani Bawole *
Graduate Program, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Syafrudin Raharjo
Graduate Program, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia and Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Selvi Tebaiy
Graduate Program, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia and Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Umi Yuminarti
Graduate Program, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia and Faculty of Agriculture, University of Papua, Jl. Gunung Salju, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Yuanike Kaber
Graduate Program, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia and Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Mudjirahayu Mudjirahayu
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Elieser V. I. Y. Sirami
Graduate Program, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia and Faculty of Forestry, University of Papua, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Roni Bawole
Graduate Program, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia and Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
Abraham Wiliam Manumpil
Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, University of Papua, Gunung Salju St, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Marine ecotourism has emerged as a tourism development approach that seeks to balance marine ecosystem conservation, local community well-being, and long-term economic sustainability. The Social–Ecological Systems (SES) framework developed by Ostrom and McGinnis provides an analytical approach for understanding the complex interactions between ecological and social components within natural resource management systems. This study aims to formulate sustainable marine ecotourism development strategies on Lihaga Island by applying a Social–Ecological Systems (SES) framework in combination with Structural Equation Modeling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) analysis. The SES framework is employed to examine the interlinkages among resource systems, resource units, governance structures, and actors, while SEM-PLS is used to test the structural relationships among latent variables influencing the sustainability of marine ecotourism. The results indicate that although Lihaga Island possesses high ecological potential and strong tourism appeal, the sustainability of its development is constrained by weak governance, limited infrastructure, and insufficient integration of local communities into the marine ecotourism value chain. The recommended strategies include strengthening collaborative governance, protecting and rehabilitating coastal ecosystems, and promoting community-based economic empowerment through ecotourism initiatives. These findings are expected to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of marine ecotourism management policies in small island regions of Indonesia.
Keywords: Marine ecotourism, social–ecological systems, SEM-PLS, governance, sustainability