Beach tourism, whether benefit or disaster for coastal fishermen of Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province

Abstract

Abstract. This study was aimed at analyzing the development of beach tourism areas in fishermen’s villages in the coastal area of Tanah Laut regency, the Province of South Kalimantan. Fishermen’s exchange rate and fishermen’s exchange rate index were utilized to describe the fisheries business contribution to the fishermen’s household income. The fishermen’s perception to the beach tourism area was descriptively analyzed using Linkert scale and the contribution of Asmara beach tourism to business opportunity of the local villagers was descriptively described. Results showed that fishing activities in the study site are still highly capable of giving prosperity to the owner fisher with the exchange rate of 1.13, but it could only give the major need of the crew fishers with the exchange rate of 1.028. The fishermen’s perception to the existence of tourism area of Asmara beach would be able to give positive impact to the community’s economy and their area, in which 65.7% respondents highly agreed, 26% were doubtful, and only 8.3% did not agree and highly disagree. The tourism of Asmara beach gave a business opportunity of 69 business units involving 166 people (> 10% of productive age) in the areal entrance retribution, security, and parking management. Homestay yielded the largest contribution, between IDR. 1,524,750 and IDR. 12,486,100 mo-1 , then food and drink shops, cloth, and public services (washroom). The government’s role is very important in managing the utilization of coastal potentials and empowering the coastal villagers to support their business diversification development. Key words: fishermen’s income, fishing activity, coastal area, beach tourism, business opportunity.