Economic Value Analysis of Weh Island Marine Tourism Park in Sabang City

Abstract

The aim of the research is to analyze the economic value of Weh Island Marine Tourism Park (TWA Laut Pulau Weh) in Sabang City and to formulate and assign the policy of its management. The development of TWA Laut Pulau Weh faces some aspects such as economic, social, ecology, politic, geografic, and technical. To analyze this area, the method of area survey is used; it refers to standard criteria of assessing the object and the interest of natural tourism. To analysis economic value, techniques of travel cost is used. This research uses two approach of travel cost techniques (individual and zonation) including strategic plan of tourism development through multicriteria decision making analysis. There are three policy alternative to manage TWA Laut Pulau Weh which is status quo, marine protected area, and market development. The result of this research shows that the economic value of TWA Laut Pulau Weh with individual approach is more accurate than zonation approach. At present, the best policy alternative is assignment TWA Laut Pulau Weh as marine protected area on bases the economic benefit and utilization of the area for protection that involves active participation of the community and that serves educational products and learning activities, and also minimizes the negative impact of the activities in this area.