Integration of Sustainable Transportation in Nature-Based Tourism Destinations: A Case Study in the Wonosalam District Tourism Area, Jombang Regency

¹ Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Engineering, State University of Surabaya, 60213 Surabaya, Indonesia
² Department of Social Science Education, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, State University of Surabaya, 60213 Surabaya, Indonesia
³ Department of Geography, Faculty of Social and Science Humanities, Sabah University of Malaysia, 88400 Kinabalu, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

The development of nature-based tourism in Wonosalam District, Jombang Regency, poses challenges to environmental sustainability and the local transportation system. This area experiences an increase in tourist visits on an annual basis; however, this has not been matched by the development of environmentally friendly and integrated transportation infrastructure. The objective of this research is to analyse the potential and challenges of sustainable transportation integration in supporting the management of natural tourism destinations in Wonosalam. The approach adopted is a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collection through field observations, in-depth interviews with local stakeholders, and documentation studies. The findings indicate that reliance on private vehicles contributes to congestion, environmental degradation, and diminished quality of tourism experience. Conversely, there is a significant opportunity to develop a sustainable transportation system through the implementation of shared tourist transport, bicycle lanes, and low-emission vehicle zoning policies. The integration of sustainable transportation systems is contingent upon collaboration between local governments, tourism actors, and local communities. These findings are expected to provide a policy recommendation for the development of sustainable tourism that is aligned with sustainable development goals, especially in the context of mountainous areas and ecotourism in Indonesia.