The Transformation of Community-Based Mangrove Conservation to Coastal Tourism on the Northern Coast of Java, Indonesia

Villages are a new focal point for economic growth through village-based tourism. As tourism interest in villages increases, mangrove forests are viewed from an economic perspective, shifting their original role to a conservation perspective. Hence, the research aims to (1) analyze the conversion of the mangrove ecosystem for village ecotourism, (2) analyze the leverage factors and inhibit the development of coastal tourism and (3) formulate a strategy for developing mangrove-based coastal tourism village areas as ecotourism destinations. This research uses a qualitative approach. A qualitative survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussion were explored in the Cirebon and Brebes Regencies, Indonesia. The data was analyzed descriptively using the business model canvas (BMC) model and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunitie and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The research findings indicate that the socio-economic transformation from mangrove conservation to village ecotourism occurred in several dynamics, including policy, management, institutional, business models and local community economic dynamics. Various supporting and inhibiting factors in the development of the coastal tourism economy are identified across multiple dimensions. The paramount strategy for advancing mangrove-based coastal tourism villages involves the legality of management of mangrove coastal tourism villages and strengthening the role of stakeholders in the development of mangrove ecotourism villages.