OPERATIONAL RISK EVALUATION IN SUPPORT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE RAMMANG-RAMMANG KARST AREA AS A NATURE TOURISM DESTINATION IN SOUTH SULAWESI

Abstract

The Rammang-Rammang Karst is one of Indonesia's prominent nature-based tourism destinations with significant geological, ecological, and tourism values, requiring effective operational risk management to ensure its sustainability. The increasing number of tourism activities has the potential to generate operational risks that may affect service quality, visitor safety, comfort, and environmental conservation if not properly managed. This study aimed to evaluate the performance and importance levels of operational risk attributes and to formulate operational risk mitigation strategies to support the sustainability of the Rammang-Rammang Karst Area in South Sulawesi. A quantitative approach was employed using purposive sampling involving 190 visitors. Data were analyzed using the Risk Evaluation Matrix (REM) to assess risk levels based on frequency and impact, and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) to identify the priority of operational risk attributes according to visitors' perceptions. The findings revealed that Operational Risk Management Strategy were classified into retain risk, transfer risk, reduce risk, and avoid risk categories. The IPA results indicated that most operational attributes were positioned in Quadrant IV (Possible Overkill), while three attributes toilets, waste bins, and directional signage were located in Quadrant I (Concentrate Here), indicating that they require immediate improvement. Accordingly, the proposed mitigation strategies emphasize improving supporting facilities and infrastructure through regular toilet maintenance, strengthening waste management systems, and providing more informative directional signage. These strategies are expected to reduce operational risks, improve service quality, enhance visitor satisfaction, and support the sustainable management of the Rammang-Rammang Karst as a nature-based tourism destination.