Environmental Dimensions And Socio-Environmental Implications Of Tourism Policy Implementation In Minahasa Utara, Indonesia

Abstract

This study explores the environmental dimensions and socio-environmental implications of tourism policy implementation in Minahasa Utara, a rapidly developing tourism district designated as part of Indonesia’s Special Economic Zone (KEK) Likupang. Despite its strategic status, the district experiences fragmented governance, unresolved land conflicts, and low institutional environmental capacity. These conditions create a policy environment where tourism expansion risks exacerbating environmental degradation. Using a qualitative case study approach grounded in policy implementation theory and environmental governance frameworks, this research investigates three key dimensions. First, the absence of a legalized Tourism Master Plan (RIPPARKAB) has led to unregulated tourism development, threatening ecological integrity in coastal and upland zones. Second, while community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives have generated localized environmental stewardship, their scalability is constrained by limited environmental literacy and the lack of institutional support. Third, structural limitations in local governance including staff capacity, inter-agency coordination, and fiscal dependency impede the integration of environmental considerations into tourism planning. The findings suggest that tourism policy in Minahasa Utara operates within a governance vacuum devoid of strong environmental anchors, producing long-term socio-ecological risks. This study contributes to environmental sciences by reframing tourism development as a function of environmental governance, rather than solely economic expansion. It proposes multi-level, evidence-based environmental management strategies aligned with SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), and offers a framework for integrating environmental safeguards into tourism policy implementation.