QUALITY AND CARRYING CAPACITY OF KLAYAR COASTAL BEACH TO ENHANCE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT IN GLOBAL GEOPARK GUNUNG SEWU, INDONESIA

Klayar Beach, a key site within Indonesia's Gunung Sewu UNESCO Global Geopark, faces growing tourism pressures threatening its ecological integrity. This study evaluates sustainable visitation thresholds by integrating carryin g capacity analysis with beach quality assessment, addressing critical gaps in coastal geopark management literature. Using a descriptive-quantitative method, the study integrates beach carrying capacity analysis, including Physical Carrying Capacity (PCC), Real Carrying Capacity (RCC), and Effective Carrying Capacity (ECC), with beach quality indicators, such as accessibility, environmental quality, comfort, and infrastructure. Data were collected using field observations, surveys, GIS mapping, and stakeholder interviews. The result showed that while the beach has high environmental quality (score: 0.93), optimal water quality (1), and no industrial pollution, vendor waste management requires improvement. Poor facilities (score=0.5) are due to inadequate restrooms, limited shade, insufficient safety equipment, and significant limitations in facilities and comfort. Although the PCC exceeds 113,000 visits/day, the ECC is significantly lower at 6,060 visits/day, showing a gap between physical capacity and management capability. The beach was divided into five zones with distinct characteristics and capacities: Zones 1-2 show high development potential (ECC 547-256 visits/day), while Zones 4-5 require strict conservation measures (ECC 105-68 visits/day). The study shows the need for visitor limits, improved infrastructure, and community-based tourism strategies to balance conservation with economic growth. By aligning visitor management with zone-specific capacities, Klayar Beach can mitigate over-tourism and enhance sustainable use. This approach can serve as a model for other coastal geoparks facing similar challenges, promoting long-term environmental and socio-economic resilience. In this regard, a novel framework was provided for integrating carrying capacity and beach quality assessments in geopark contexts, contributing to more sustainable coastal tourism management in Indonesia and beyond.