The study focuses on the Sentul–Puncak area in Bogor Regency, Indonesia, a conservation and water catchment zone that has experienced rapid land conversion into villas, resorts, and glamping destinations. One of the most controversial cases involved the “Hibisc Fantasy Puncak” tourism project developed by PT Jaswita Jabar, a regional state-owned enterprise, which was reportedly built in a protected area without proper environmental permits.
Researchers argue that many tourism developments labeled as eco-friendly are actually examples of “greenwashing,” where sustainability narratives are used mainly for marketing purposes while ecological regulations are ignored. The study warns that such practices threaten environmental sustainability and weaken public trust in green tourism policies.
According to the research, one of Indonesia’s biggest problems lies in the lack of coordination between tourism law, environmental protection law, and spatial planning law. Although Indonesia already has legal frameworks regulating these sectors, they operate separately and often fail to provide strong enforcement against illegal land conversion. Administrative sanctions are frequently too weak to stop environmentally damaging projects.
To examine alternative solutions, the researchers compared Indonesia’s system with New Zealand’s ecotourism governance model. New Zealand was selected because it has developed one of the world’s most integrated green tourism legal systems through the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Conservation Act 1987.
Unlike Indonesia’s fragmented approach, New Zealand applies a unified environmental permit system that combines land management, spatial planning, and environmental protection within a single framework. Tourism projects must undergo strict environmental impact assessments and comply with ecological carrying-capacity rules before receiving approval.
The study also highlights New Zealand’s mandatory sustainability certification system known as Qualmark. Tourism businesses are required to meet standards related to energy efficiency, waste management, local community involvement, and cultural preservation. This certification is necessary for businesses seeking official government tourism partnerships.
Another major difference identified in the research is the role of indigenous communities. In New Zealand, Māori communities have strong legal standing and are directly involved in tourism consultations and environmental oversight. In Indonesia, public participation is often limited to formal consultation processes with little influence on final decisions.
The researchers concluded that Indonesia urgently needs legal reform to prevent recurring spatial conflicts in tourism development. The study proposes an integrated “green zoning” regulatory model that combines environmental law, tourism law, and spatial planning into one coordinated legal system. The proposed model also includes:
- ecological zoning based on environmental carrying capacity,
- mandatory sustainability certification for tourism businesses,
- integrated licensing systems,
- and stronger community-based monitoring mechanisms.
According to the authors, tourism development should no longer prioritize short-term investment interests at the expense of ecological sustainability. Instead, green tourism policies must protect conservation areas while ensuring spatial justice and local community participation.
The findings carry important implications for Indonesia’s tourism industry and public policy. Stronger environmental governance could help prevent natural disasters linked to uncontrolled land conversion, while sustainable tourism standards may improve Indonesia’s international reputation as an ecotourism destination. The study also suggests that integrating environmental protection into tourism planning could create more resilient local economies and better long-term conservation outcomes.
Author Profiles
- Indri Septiana - Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
- Sunarno - Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
- M.Endriyo Susila - Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
Research Source
Septiana, I., Sunarno, & Susila, M.E. (2026). Green Tourism and Spatial Planning Conflict: A Comparative Study of Ecotourism Regulations in Indonesia and New Zealand. International Journal of Education and Life Sciences (IJELS), Vol. 4 No. 4, 463–474.
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