Stakeholder Perceptions of Sustainable Tourism Governance in an Emerging Geopark: Evidence from Lake Matano, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract
This study examines stakeholder perceptions of sustainable tourism management at Lake Matano, focusing on the evaluation of accessibility, community engagement, governance effectiveness, and overall satisfaction among residents and tourists. Given Lake Matano’s current preparation for UNESCO Geopark designation, understanding these multi-stakeholder dynamics is vital for long-term viability. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, the research synthesized qualitative insights and quantitative data gathered from 30 participants. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings reveal a significant perception gap, with residents reporting higher overall satisfaction (means = 4.2 to 4.4) compared to tourists (means = 2.9 to 3.5). Structural model evaluation indicates that the proposed framework possesses substantial explanatory power, explaining 48% of the variance in Stakeholder Engagement (R^2 = 0.48) and 56% in Sustainable Tourism Governance (R^2 = 0.56). Furthermore, mediation analysis confirms that Stakeholder Engagement acts as a critical partial mediator between Accessibility and Governance (indirect effect = 0.23, p = 0.003), as well as between Collaborative Governance and Governance outcomes (indirect effect = 0.20, p = 0.009). Positive Predictive Relevance (Q^2) values ranging from 0.28 to 0.35 confirm the model's robust predictive capability for Matano Geopark development. The study highlights the necessity for inclusive governance strategies that authentically integrate cultural identity and address the specific needs of visitors.