VALUASI EKONOMI WISATA ALAM DI TAMAN WISATA ALAM GUNUNG SELOKKABUPATEN CILACAP

Abstract

Gunung Selok Nature Tourism Park is a conservation area that provides ecological, economic, and social benefits, making economic valuation essential to support sustainable management. This study aimed to estimate the economic value of Gunung Selok Nature Tourism Park based on the Total Economic Value (TEV) framework and to formulate sustainable management strategies. The valuation employed the Travel Cost Method and Market Price Method to estimate direct use values from nature-based tourism and water utilization, the Effect on Production Method to estimate indirect use values generated by community activities associated with tourism, the Benefit Transfer Method to estimate biodiversity as an option value, and the Contingent Valuation Method to estimate existence and bequest values. The Total Economic Value approach was used to calculate the overall economic value of the area. Data were analyzed using descriptive and SWOT analyses. Samples consisted of 60 visitors selected through accidental sampling, 93 local community members selected through simple random sampling, and 35 tourism-related business operators surveyed using a census approach. The results indicated that the Total Economic Value of Gunung Selok Nature Tourism Park reached IDR 7,609,154,513 per year. Based on the SWOT analysis, the recommended sustainable management strategies include strengthening institutional governance, improving infrastructure and facilities, developing the park’s potential, enhancing area protection, and increasing community participation.