Hydrodynamic Model Optimization for Marine Tourism Development Suitability in Vicinity of Poso Regency Coastal Area, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, has a coastal area that has the potential to be developed for marine tourism. It is expected that marine tourism can bring socio-economic impact to the community. This research was conducted with the objective of assessing the suitability of the area to be developed as a marine and coastal tourism site to provide benefits to the coastal community. A hydrodynamic model was used in this research for coastal area mapping. As an approach, Analysis Hierarchy Process (AHP) was utilized, whose parameters consist of depth, coast type, coast width, brightness, current speed, water base materials, observation of dangerous biota, and availability of fresh water. Based on the overall mapping area of 98,644 ha, the research results show that the area that can be utilized is 7979 ha with a ‘very suitable’ category, while there is a further area of 1045 ha which can still be classified in the ‘suitable’ category.