Network Structure in Coastal and Marine Tourism: Diving into the Three Clusters

ABSTRACT

This study identifies the stakeholders of coastal marine tourism (CMT) and their structural patterns of relationships using theories of network structure. While the network analysis examines the relational aspects, content analysis gained through interviews and focus group discussions were used to understand the specific issues of CMT. The Thousand Islands as one of the priority destinations set up by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism was chosen as the case study. The overall network graph confirms that CMT in the Thousand Islands is a community-based tourism surrounded mostly by government institutions. Marine transportation organisations are mainly located within the inner circle. Using modularity, the network splits into three clusters, delivering a more in-depth network structure of the CMT. Practical implications of the study are for policy makers to improve stakeholder cooperation to address issues related to the management of marine transportation, water and energy supplies, innovation in natural and cultural attractions and greater development of human resources.

KEYWORDS:

• Coastal marine tourism
• network structure
• network analysis
• modularity
• Thousand Islands

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.