Economic Valuation of Marine Tourism Based on Bio-Ecoregion (Case Study in Batukaras Beach, Pangandaran District, West Java Province, Indonesia)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on all economic sectors and the order of life in society, including the marine tourism sector. As in the Batukaras Beach tourism area, West Java Province. This research aims to analyze the factors that influence the level of tourist visits marine tourism area of Batukaras Beach and the economic value of marine tourism. The research conducted in May 2021 – June 2022. The data used primary and secondary data, using purposive sampling as many as 106 respondents using multiple linear regression and travel cost method. Based on the results of the research, the factors that influence marine tourism visits are variables X₁ natural conditions of marine tourism, X₂ types of marine tourism attractions, X₃ distance traveled, X₄ length of time for tourism activities, X₅ level of education, X₆ income level, X₇ age, X₈ travel cost. Based on this research it was obtained economic value of the marine tourism environment based on travel expenses in Batukaras Beach is IDR 79,795,000. Consumer surplus or tourists' willingness to pay based on the individual travel cost method is IDR 2,975.08/individual/visiting and economic value of marine tourism based on willingness to pay in Batukaras Beach IDR 1,039,130,027.