Assessing the sustainability of blue tourism in tourist destinations and ports: a case study of Karimunjawa

Abstract

Motives: The rapid expansion of marine tourism in Karimunjawa has triggered critical ecological degradation and socio-economic pressures. Despite its strategic alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the implementation of “Blue Tourism” is currently undermined by fragmented governance, weak regulatory enforcement, and a lack of synergy between port infrastructure and destination management.Aim: This study seeks to evaluate the sustainability of Blue Tourism by assessing the operational performance and stakeholder expectations within Karimunjawa. It aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice by utilizing a multi-dimensional framework – integrating Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), SWOT, and Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) to provide a comprehensive roadmap for resilient coastal governance.Results: The analysis reveals significant performance deficits in environmental education, digital infrastructure, and government support. Findings from the RIA highlight that regulatory overlaps and suboptimal monitoring hinder conservation efforts. To resolve these issues, the study recommends the standardization of “green ports,” the harmonization of inter-agency policies, and the adoption of community-led digital transformations. These results offer a scalable model for balancing economic growth with environmental integrity in archipelagic tourism hubs.