The Potential Role of Shark Tourism in Raising Public Awareness for Conservation in Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat is one of the world's leading marine tourism destinations, attracting visitors to experience high biodiversity, including sharks. Shark-based tourism is widely promoted as a tool for education and conservation; however, empirical evidence on changes in tourist knowledge and attitudes following interpretive shark-tour experiences in Indonesia remains limited. This study examines changes in tourist knowledge, attitudes, and experiences associated with shark-related tourism on Kri Island. Data were collected between August and October 2024 through interviews with 200 tourists using a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach. A pre-post questionnaire was applied and analysed using descriptive statistics to assess changes in knowledge and attitudes, supported by thematic analysis of interview responses. Our findings indicate that educational interpretation during shark tourism increased tourists' understanding of shark ecology and fostered more positive conservation-oriented attitudes. Many participants reported a willingness to engage in conservation actions, such as reporting shark sightings and supporting local conservation programs. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating structured educational components for shark tourism. Overall, interpretive shark-based tourism can contribute meaningfully to strengthening conservation awareness and support for shark protection in Raja Ampat.