DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/jpwp.v4i1.60015

Abstract

The Ijen Geopark in Bondowoso Regency, despite its recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) and its substantial tourism potential, has yet to make a meaningful contribution to the region's economic development. This study aims to identify an appropriate development strategy for optimizing the tourism potential of the Ijen Geopark area. Employing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, this research utilizes primary data gathered from expert perceptions, assessed through the Saaty scale of 1 to 9. The analytical framework encompasses system identification, hierarchical structuring, pairwise comparisons, combined opinion matrices, and both horizontal and vertical processing. The findings indicate that a Community Based Ecotourism approach represents the most viable strategy, emphasizing four key instruments: environmental carrying capacity enhancement, local institutional and partnership development, educational principle integration, and business performance and sustainability improvement. Notably, public awareness of tourism emerges as the predominant factor within the tourism ecosystem, accounting for 16% of the overall weight, followed by business actor competencies, local cultural education, and information technology utilization.

Keywords: AHP, Community Based Ecotourism, Ijen Geopark, Strategy, Tourism Potential