Jurnal EKOSAINS | Vol. III | No. 2 | Juli 2011 1 The Development Of Karst Area Ecotourism Object Potency In The West Pacitan Regency Of East Java Province Hendrik Boby Hertanto, Ari Handono Ramelan, MTh.Sri Budiastuti Postgraduate Program of Environmental Study Surakarta Sebelas Maret University Abstract The objectives of this research are: (1) to observe the potency of each ecotour- ism object in karst area of the west Pacitan Regency, and (2) to observe for the high potential ecotourism object to develop in karst area of the west Pacitan Regency, (3) to determine the quided policy of the high potential ecotourism object in karst area of the west of Pacitan Regency. This research employed a descriptive qualitative method. The variable consid- ered was ecotourism object potency divided into two groups: internal and external poten- cies of ecotourism object variables. The sampling technique used was quota sampling one by taking seventy visitors, twenty people surrounding the ecotourism object and thirty management personnel (Culture and Tourism Service of Pacitan Regency). The sample was intended to the visitor not ecotourism object. Techniques of collecting data used were interview, ield observation and documentation. Technique of analyzing data used was classiication data analysis with weighing approach used to determine the ecotourism object potency level in karst area of the west Pacitan Regency. The object of research included ten ecotourism objects distributed in karst area of the west Pacitan Regency. The result of research shows that: (1) the potency of individual ecotourism ob- jects in karst area of the west Pacitan Regency based on the classiication analysis be- longs to combination of internal and external potencies. From the result of analysis, it can be found that there are three ecotourism objects with high combination potency category; they are: Srau Beach, Gong Cave and Tabuhan Cave. There are three ecotourism objects with medium combination potency category: Klayar, Nampu and Watukarung Beaches. Meanwhile there are four ecotourism objects with low combination potency category: Putri Cave, Kalak Cave, Luweng Ombo and Luweng Jaran. (2) It is found the ecotourism object with high potential to develop in karst area of the west Pacitan Regency. From the result of combined potency classiication, the ecotourism objects with high potency cat- egory include: Srau Beach, Gong Cave and Tabuhan Cave. These objects are those with high potential to develop in karst area of the west Pacitan Regency.(3) It is found that there is a guided policy of the high potential ecotourism object in karst area of the west of Pacitan Regency based on 3-E concept (Ecology, Education, Economy), the development of ecotourism based on local community, and the development of ecotourism based on interpretation. Key words: Development, Potency, Ecotourism, Karst