Lecturers from the Padjadjaran University Graduate School, along with students from the Environmental Science Doctoral Program and a research team from the National Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN) and other Indonesian universities, contributed to strategic research that maps the challenges and solutions for sustainable small island tourism in Indonesia. The scientific article, “The Paradox Between Economic Gain and Environmental Sustainability: A Case of Small Island Tourism in Pari Island, Indonesia,” published in the reputable journal Tourism in Marine Environments, examines the case of Pari Island, a small island in Indonesia experiencing significant pressure from high tourism activity.

This study highlights the paradox between economic growth from the tourism sector and the resulting environmental degradation, such as declining groundwater and seawater quality, and increasing solid and liquid waste loads. Using the Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSIR) framework, the study analyzes environmental pressures triggered by tourism and formulates a community-based sustainable management strategy. A survey of 317 residents and 143 tourists, along with water quality testing at 15 locations, indicates that tourism growth has not been matched by adequate environmental management, particularly in wastewater and domestic waste management.

Contribution to the SDGs:
This research directly supports SDG 14: Marine Ecosystems, with a focus on the conservation of vulnerable small island coastal ecosystems. Furthermore, this article is relevant to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as it addresses the importance of integrating tourism governance with environmental protection and local community participation. Recommendations for strengthening environmental quality monitoring systems and involving communities in tourism management also support SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

This article serves as an important reference for policymakers and tourism stakeholders in designing inclusive, resilient, and conservation-based small island development.