Journal article
Perceptions of surfing tourism operators regarding sustainable tourism development in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol.21(11), pp.1258-1273
2016
Abstract
Surfing tourism has the potential to provide significant economic income and employment opportunities. However, the development of surfing tourism in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, has raised important questions regarding its impacts and sustainability. Economic leakages, increased pressure on the environment and resources, and adverse effects on local communities have been shown as the major barriers to sustainable development. This article provides insights into how surfing tourism operators perceive the development and impacts of the Mentawai Islands surfing tourism industry. This research project uses an interpretive qualitative approach and follows a case study methodology utilising semi-structured interviews with resort and charter boat surfing tourism operators. The study also investigated possible future directions for creating a more sustainable surfing tourism industry in the Mentawai Islands. Findings from the research showed that charter boat operators and resort operators had differing views as to how surfing tourism had developed: resort operators believed it to be sustainable, while charter boat operators felt it was unsustainable. A key finding of this study was that operators felt that surfing tourism had dramatically altered the traditional Mentawai village of Katiet and was producing adverse socio-cultural impacts on the local community. It is recommended that future research explore the issue of the impacts of surfing tourism development on other remote locations in Indonesia and other surfing tourism destinations around the globe. © 2016 Asia Pacific Tourism Association.
Details
- Title
- Perceptions of surfing tourism operators regarding sustainable tourism development in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
- Authors
- N Towner (Author) - Auckland Institute of Studies, New ZealandMark Orams (Author) - Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
- Publication details
- Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol.21(11), pp.1258-1273
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Date published
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1080/10941665.2016.1140663
- ISSN
- 1094-1665
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; USC Business School - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451003402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
290 Record Views
InCites Highlights
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism
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Source: InCites