Ecotourism potentially provides a sustainable approach to development [
15]. In this scope, marine ecotourism is a form of natural marine resource-based tourism that is educational, low-impact, non-consumptive, and locally oriented: local people must control the industry and receive the bulk of the benefits to ensure sustainable development [
16]. Ecotourism in this context can be viewed as an activity to promote responsible travel to natural areas, to make a positive contribution to environmental preservation, and to improve the welfare of local communities [
17,
18,
19].
4.1. Environmental Dimension of Marine Ecotourism
The elements of the environmental dimension of marine ecotourism include: (1) nature conservation, (2) natural value, (3) protected are of nature, (4) disrupting wildlife, (5) illegal hunting and fishing, (6) degradation water quality, (7) disruption of local flora and fauna, (8) bidiversity loss, (9) habitat alteration, and (10) environmental education.
In
Figure 12, it can be seen that the highest value of 3.171 belongs to the ‘illegal hunting and fishing’ attribute, which means that this attribute has the highest sensitivity value related to the level of marine ecotourism environmental dimension sustainability. The ‘environmental education’ attribute has the lowest value of 0.808, meaning that it has little sensitivity to the level of sustainability of marine tourism.
4.5. Infrastructural Dimension of Marine Ecotourism
Elements of theinfrastructural dimension of marine ecotourism include (1) lodging, (2) tourism support service, (3) restaurants and markets, (4) fuel, (5) health care and service, (6) public administration, (7) communication servce, (8) new sport recreational, and (9) transportation.
In
Figure 16, it can be seen that the highest value of 4.149 belongs to health care service, which means that it has the highest sensitivity value with respect to the level of sustainability of the infrastructural dimension of marine ecotourism. Tourism support services has the lowest value of 1.444. Tourism support service, therefore, it has the smallest value of sensitivity to this dimension of sustainability.
Based on this research, the Rapfish model measured the synergistic model of sustainable development of marine ecotourism through the approach environment, culture, social, economic and infrastructure dimension. The sustainability levels by type of environmental dimensions of marine ecotourism in Pangandaran region were found to be as follows: (1) business ecotourism is low; (2) seaside ecotourism is sufficient; (3) cultural ecotourism is sufficient; (4) fishing ecotourism is good; (5) cruise ecotourism is low; and (6) sport ecotourism is good. Marine ecotourism business is very complex, requiring entrepreneurial spirit to achieve profitability with no damage to the environment. Start-up ecotourism ventures have a high risk of failure and the marine tourism business faces challenges in conditions of uncertainty in natural resources. Environmental dimensions include: (1) nature conservation, (2) natural value, (3) protected are of nature, (4) disrupting wildlife, (5) illegal hunting and fishing, (6) degradation water quality, (7) disruption of local flora and fauna, (8) biodiversity loss, (9) habitat alteration, and (10) environmental education.
Maritime ecotourism focuses on local cultures from certain areas, including coastal areas, as well as natural beauty, geological structures, natural vegetation, and fauna [
20,
21] and is a type of tourism that covers the subject of conservation of natural areas, education, economic benefits, quality tourism, and local community participation [
22]. Based on this research, sustainability levels of types of marine ecotourism cultural dimension in Pangandaran Region were found to be as follows: (1) business ecotourism is sufficient; (2) seasides ecotourism is low; (3) cultural ecotourism is good; (4) fishing ecotourism is sufficent; (5) cruise ecotourism is low; and (6) sport ecotourism is low. There are three main principles in sustainable development [
23]: (1) ecological sustainability, namely ensuring that development is carried out in accordance with ecological, biological, and diversity of existing ecological resources; (2) social and cultural sustainability, namely ensuring that the development carried out has a positive impact on the lives of the surrounding community and in accordance with the culture and values that apply to the community; (3) economic sustainability, namely ensuring that development is carried out efficiently economically and that the resources used can survive for future needs. Based on this research, cultural dimensions include: (1) creating sustainable livelihoods; (2) traditional ethnic; (3) behavioral patterns; (4) religious beliefs; (5) existing skill levels; (5) cultural attractions; (6) practising respect for local culture; (7) local and national heritage; (8) indegenous culture; and (9) adaptation to local norms.
From a sociological perspective, marine ecotourism systems have three types of actors: (1) tourism brokers, (2) local tourism residents, and (3) tourists [
24]. Interactions within and between these actors can affect the speed and character of coastal development and increase the income of coastal communities. Based on this research, the sustainability level of types of marine ecotourism social dimension in Pangandaran Region are as follows: (1) business ecotourism is good; (2) seaside ecotourism is sufficient; (3) cultural ecotourism is sufficient; (4) fishing ecotourism is sufficient; (5) cruise ecotourism is sufficient; and (6) sport ecotourism is sufficient. Maritime tourism not only promotes local economic growth, but also promotes social equality rights in the community and preserves the surrounding environment. Social dimensions include (1) ecotourism income; (2) benefits for local people; (3) conflict status; (4) education level of tourism; (5) number of tourists; (6) type of tourists; (7) traditional events; and (8) enforcement of regulations.
Tourism is considered as combining time and pleasure, benefiting prospective tourists, and providing the tourism industry and host countries with significant flowing effects at all levels and sectors in the local economy [
25]. Based on this research, sustainability levels according to the type of economic dimension of marine ecotourism in Pangandaran Region are as follows: (1) business ecotourism is good; (2) seasides ecotourism is sufficient; (3) cultural ecotourism is sufficient; (4) fishing ecotourism is sufficient; (5) cruise ecotourism is sufficient; (6) sport ecotourism is sufficient. Economic dimensions include; (1) domestic ecotourism investors; (2) foreign ecotourism investors; (3) ecotourism industry; (4) jobs for local communities; (5) other income; (6) marketing techniques; (7) employment in ecotourism; (8) average wage; (9) ecotourism entrepreneurship; and (10) providing benefits for local communities.
Based on this research, sustainability levels for the infrastructural dimensions of marine ecotourism in the Pangandaran Region are as follows: (1) business ecotourism is good; (2) seaside ecotourism is sufficient; (3) cultural ecotourism is sufficient; (4) fishing ecotourism is sufficient; (5) cruise ecotourism is sufficient; and (6) sport ecotourism is sufficient. Infrastructural dimensions include: (1) lodging; (2) tourism support services; (3) restaurants and markets; (4) fuel; (5) health care service; (6) public administration; (7) communication service; (8) new sport recreational; and (9) transportation.