Identification, and formulation of social-based sustainable ecotourism development strategies in the Kei Islands

In Indonesia, the tourism sector has become one of the potential sectors as a source of state income. Tourist destinations focusing on natural and cultural resources have enormous potential to develop further, including the Kei Islands. There are many potential marine and cultural tourism destinations but have not been developed further. It is because of the prevailing social order (custom). This study aims to identify key internal and external factors and formulate and determine strategic priorities to develop sustainable Ecotourism in the Kei Islands based on social carrying capacity. This research was conducted in December 2020 – June 2021 in the Kei Islands using the SWOT Method, IE Matrix, and QSPM. The Internal & External Analysis Matrix shows the condition of tourism in the Kei Islands at the Hold & Maintain stage, where threats and weaknesses are considered to be seriously mitigated because they can bring destructive impacts. The SWOT analysis results showed that Local packaging Heritage as an attraction for cultural tourism destinations, developing human resources for youth as agents of change, and involving Local Government in Tourism Development Plans as strategic alternatives. QSPM showed that alternative strategies for developing natural resources Human Resources had the highest Total Attractiveness as an alternative priority strategy to support the development of sustainable Ecotourism in the Kei Islands.