The Importance-performance Analysis of Ecotourism Subcomponents Based on Visitor Perspectives in Helena Sky Bridge

Abstract

Aims: To analyze the importance and performance rate of various ecotourism component based on visitor perspectives in Helena sky bridge. Study Design: Interview method. Place and Duration of Study: October 2018 in Helena sky bridge, Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, Maros District, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Methodology: The interview method, by using prepared structured questionnaire with close ended questions, applied on 50 respondents selected through quoted accidental sampling technique. There were 33 ecotourism subcomponents assessed based on Likert scale. Obtained data processed by the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and displayed in Cartesian diagram. Results: There was variation of respondent characteristics in term of gender, age, number of visits, visiting purpose and domicile. However, most visitor was young people (18-28 years old) and come from Makassar. The highest performance rate was found on panorama, while the lowest performance rate was homestay. For the importance, the highest score was showed by 3 subcomponents, namely service, skill and garbage dump, while the lowest one was festival. In average, the performance rate of all subcomponents was 2.70 (moderate), while the importance was 3.93 (good). There was a gap between performance and importance that need proper management actions. Development effort should be concentrated in 7 subcomponents plotted in 1st quadrant, such as the easiness access to get transportation, guide and interpreter, public lavatory, garbage dump, health facility, shopping facility, and clean water availability. 13 subcomponents had already in a good performance, mostly from natural attraction. 10 subcomponents were classed into 3rd quadrant with low priority management strategy. Moreover, 3 subcomponents (cultural landscape, local peoples’ daily life and hospitality) were in 4th quadrant with possible overkill situation. Conclusion: Ecotourism subcomponents such as the easiness access to get transportation, guide and interpreter, public lavatory, garbage dump, health facility, shopping facility, and clean water availability should be prioritized.