INDEKS KESESUAIAN WISATA SUNGAI YEH PENET DESA PENARUNGAN KABUPATEN BADUNG, BALI

Abstract

The river is a continuously flowing body of water from upstream to downstream that plays an important role in the ecosystem and community life. This research aims to assess the tourism suitability index of the Yeh Penet River, located in Penarungan Village, Badung Regency, Bali, based on three types of recreational activities: camping/outbound, leisure/relaxing, and river tracking. Tourism suitability analysis is crucial for determining the potential and feasibility of developing river-based tourism in the area. The method used in this study is quantitative descriptive, with location determination using Purposive Sampling to select three observation stations based on geographical characteristics and concentration of tourism activities. Data were collected through direct observation, measurement of 13 environmental parameters, and questionnaires distributed to 84 respondents. The measured parameters included riverbank width, vegetation cover, water clarity, current velocity, depth, slope, and scenery quality. Each parameter was assessed and scored using a tourism suitability index matrix. The results showed that most parameters for river tracking met the 'suitable' category, while parameters for camping/outbound and leisure were mostly categorized as 'unsuitable', primarily due to narrow riverbanks and limited scenic value. The River Tourism Suitability Index for river tracking activities was deemed suitable for river tourism in the Yeh Penet River, with a suitability index value of 2-2.3. In contrast, the camping/outbound category, with values of 1.57-1.72, and leisure/relaxing, with values of 1.7-1.9 at each station, were categorized as unsuitable. Therefore, the Yeh Penet River is only suitable as a location for river tracking tourism activities.