I Komang Astina, Dicky Arinta, Ari Sapto, Cinde Ririh Windayu, Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah, Annisa Ramadhanty
This research was conducted to evaluate the physical and social potentials of Watukarung Beach, Pacitan, and further formulate a sustainable tourism development strategy within the framework of supporting the Gunungsewu Global Geopark. The methodological design applies a mixed method approach that integrates quantitative assessment through the Tourism Suitability Index and quantitative SWOT analysis, combined with a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews, direct field observations, documentation, and focus group discussions (FGD). Quantitative data were analyzed to assess physical suitability and strategic positioning, while qualitative data were used to interpret community perspectives, governance dynamics, and socio-institutional transformations. The findings indicate that Watukarung Beach is highly suitable for marine-based tourism development, as evidenced by high IKW scores supported by physical characteristics such as world-class surf waves, sandy and coral beach morphology, coastal vegetation functioning as natural protection, and the absence of harmful marine biota. From a social perspective, the local community has experienced a significant occupational shift from primary sectors (fisheries and agriculture) to the community-based tourism (CBT) service sector, demonstrating an adaptive transformation in response to tourism growth. However, this transition also presents several challenges, including regulatory constraints, competition among tourism business actors, spatial utilization conflicts, and limited systematic governance mechanisms. The SWOT analysis positions the region within the Strength-Opportunity quadrant, indicating that strong internal potentials can be optimized to take advantage of emerging opportunities in sustainable tourism and geopark branding. Overall, this study concludes that collaborative and integrative governance that harmonizes ecological conservation, socio-cultural empowerment, and economic diversification is essential to realize Watukarung Beach as a sustainable and globally competitive ecotourism destination. © 2026 by the authors.
Universitas Negeri Malang, Faculty of Social Science, Tourism Study Program, Malang, Indonesia; Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, Selangor, Malaysia
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