The Natural Attraction towards CoastalEcotourism in Pasaman Barat, Indonesia

ABSTRACT : Tourism is an industry that can increase the growth, economy and welfare of people in anarea. In developing tourism, it is necessary to develop a tourist attraction. The coast of West Pasaman districthas the potential to be developed into a tourist destination, with a coastline of 152 km. With the development ofa tourism will have benefits and disadvantages. Ecotourism is one of the conceptual concepts of tourism that canprovide economic benefits for local communities and is responsible for the preservation of the surroundingnature. The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of perception-based ecotourism in West PasamanRegency. This study used a mixed method, namely qualitative with field survey studies and conductinginterviews and quantitative by distributing questionnaires. The findings in this study will be the basis forresearchers in recommending the most appropriate action in developing ecotourism-based coastal naturalattractions in West Pasaman Regency.

KEYWORDS: West Pasaman, Perception Natural Attraction, Ecotourism.