Are the local communities in Balikpapan Bay, Indonesia ready for mangrove ecotourism? A Theory of Planned Behavior Informed Study
Key Points
◆This study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to assess the readiness and socio-ecological conditions of local communities in Balikpapan Bay, Indonesia, for implementing community-based ecotourism (CBET) in mangrove forests.
◆The study analyzes the community's intention to participate by evaluating the three TPB components: Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC).
◆Quantitative results show that all three TPB components—attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC)—significantly influence the community's intention to engage in CBET.
◆Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) was identified as the strongest predictor influencing community intention.
◆There is a significant difference in readiness: Communities in "Center" areas exhibit much stronger PBC, supported by higher awareness (100% of respondents were aware of mangrove tourism), access to education, and dual economic benefits (from both the ecosystem and tourism).
◆A mixed-methods approach was used, comparing areas with an established "Mangrove Center" against areas without it ("Non-Center") through quantitative surveys (n=100) and qualitative interviews.
◆The study proposes context-sensitive participatory strategies to bridge readiness gaps, recommending capacity building in Non-Center areas and a facilitative role for the government.
Summary
In this analysis, the authors evaluate the readiness of local communities in Balikpapan Bay to engage in community-based ecotourism (CBET). The study is contextualized by Balikpapan's economic transition and its role as a key supporting city for Indonesia's new capital (Ibu Kota Nusantara, IKN), which makes mangrove conservation ecologically vital.
Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework (Figure 1), the research compares two community groups: (1)those surrounding established Mangrove Centers (Center areas), and (2) those lacking such institutions (Non-Center areas).
Figure 1 The Components of the TPB Framework
The TPB framework was applied to assess the socio-ecological readiness for CBET by linking three key factors: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Attitudes reflect perceptions of ecosystem services, tourism impacts, and development preferences; subjective norms relate to perceptions of responsible actors and the role of the Mangrove Centre; while perceived behavioural control includes awareness of mangrove tourism, direct benefits, and preferred conservation actions. This approach helps identify the psychological factors shaping community participation in sustainable ecotourism.
Figure 2 Graha Indah Mangrove Center in the research site.
(Photographed by Dini Arianti in June of 2022)
The analysis revealed that while Attitudes toward the benefits of ecotourism (like conservation and job creation) were equally positive across both groups, Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) showed a significant gap.
In the Center areas, 100% of respondents (46 individuals) were aware of mangroves being used for tourism, compared to only 61% (33 respondents) in the Non-Center areas. This higher readiness in the Center areas is directly linked to better access to environmental education, training, and dual economic benefits (from both the ecosystem and tourism).
Based on these findings, the authors conclude that the presence of formal institutions is vital for strengthening community readiness and confidence to participate in CBET. Practical recommendations focus on the need for differentiated strategies: targeted capacity building for Non-Center areas to address skills gaps, and a more active role for the government as a facilitator to connect communities with tourism stakeholders.
This work was published in Socio-Ecological Practice Research (SEPR) in 8 December 2025.
This study was supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund of the ERCA (JPMEERF20241M03) funded by the Ministry of the Environment. Open Access funding provided by The University of Tokyo. The authors declare that the project was also funded by JST (grant number JPMJPF2110) and JSPS KAKENHI (grant number JP22H03852; JP23K28295; JP23H01584; JP23KK0198; JP25K15570; and JP17K02105).
Authors & Journal Information
Included author: Professor Ryo Kohsaka
The Laboratory of Forest Landscape Planning and Design, Department of Forest Science,
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
The University of Tokyo
Authors: Rizky Arif Nugroho, Jay Mar D. Quevedo
Journal: Socio-Ecological Practice Research
Title: Are the local communities in Balikpapan Bay, Indonesia ready for mangrove ecotourism? A Theory of Planned Behavior Informed Study.
Publication Date: 8 December 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-025-00233-0
URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42532-025-00233-0
Related News Release
Professor Ryo Kohsaka appointed as a technical expert under the Convention on Biological Diversity (in Japanese)
https://www.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/news/news_20230517-1.html
Contact
Professor Ryo Kohsaka
The Laboratory of Forest Landscape Planning and Design, Department of Forest Science,
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
The University of Tokyo
E-mail: kohsaka.lab[at]gmail.com / kohsaka[at]hotmail.com
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