Coastal ecosystem characteristics and their sustainable utilization in the context of good tourism governance: evidence from Bubohu Religious Tourism Village, Indonesia

Abstract

The Bubohu Religious Tourism Village in Bongo Village, Gorontalo Regency, is a coastal destination where religious practices, local culture, and marine landscapes intersect. Tourism growth has expanded livelihood opportunities for residents but has also increased pressure on the fragile coastal ecosystem of Tomini Bay. This study aims (1) to identify key coastal ecosystem characteristics that support tourism in Bubohu and (2) to examine how their use aligns with principles of sustainable resource management and Good Tourism Governance. A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted through field observations, in-depth interviews with village leaders, tourism managers, business actors, and coastal residents, and analysis of local regulations and planning documents.The results indicate that four main ecosystem characteristics underpin tourism: sandy–rocky beaches, coastal vegetation that provides shade and ecological functions, religious and cultural spaces near the shoreline, and shallow coastal waters that enable marine-based activities. These features support the development of beach attractions, coastal culinary clusters, marine transport and tour services, and religious tourism events, which together generate income, diversify livelihoods, and strengthen Bubohu’s image as a religious–coastal destination. However, the findings also reveal persistent waste management problems, the absence of explicit limits on environmental carrying capacity, and weak monitoring of coastal conditions. Community participation and collaboration among local actors are relatively strong, yet environmental safeguards remain limited. Overall, the study concludes that the current use of Bubohu’s coastal ecosystems is moving toward sustainable tourism, but governance innovations and stronger environmental regulation are needed to secure the long-term integrity of these ecosystems.