Tourist expectation towards sustainable ecotourism a case study of perhentian island kecil terengganu malaysia

THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY - - REMBERTH REAL ANGELO MANTALA CABANGBANG JR TOURIST EXPECTATION TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF PERHENTIAN ISLAND KECIL TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA BACHELOR THESIS Study Mode : Full-time Major : Environmental Science and Management Faculty : International Programs Office Batch : 2013-2017 Thai Nguyen, 2017 DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry Degree Program Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management Student name Remberth Real Angelo Mantala Cabangbang Jr Student ID DTN1454290057 Thesis Title Tourist Expectation towards Sustainable Ecotourism: A Case Study of Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia Supervisor (s) Dr Norhayati Bin Hj Shariff Msc Do Tuan Tung Abstract: The Pulau Perhentian (Perhentian Island) is located in the South China Sea, 21 km off the mainland of Terengganu State in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia The Perhentian Island harbors an expansive coral reef ecosystem which has made it a huge hit for tourist to enjoy their holidays This research paper identifies the significant factor of tourist expectation towards sustainable ecotourism and also identifies the significant problem faced by the tourist at Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia A total of 55 tourist respondents in Perhentian Island Kecil were selected to answer the survey questionnaire and employed a non-probability convenience sampling The results revealed that the tourist significant expectation towards sustainable ecotourism is that "tourist should encourage the local community to adapt ecofriendly practice" with the highest mean of 4.49 and SD of 0.742 and the significant problem faced by the tourist is that "some tourist operators have no knowledge on sustainable eco-tourism leading to the degradation of environment‖ with the highest mean of 3.82 and SD of 1.278 The findings recommend that government and eco-tourist should embark an advocacy programs to educate people within communities where ecotourism resources are located, and to understand the need for protecting these pristine natural resources and its long term benefit on the community The study also recommend ways to raise environmental awareness in the community and basic management criteria should be implemented and adopted by operators who wish to sustain the ecotourism operation Ecotourism; Ecosystem; Eco-friendly; Tourist Expectation Keywords: Number of pages: Fifty-nine (59) pages Date of Submission: November 2017 Signature of the Supervisor ACKNOWLEDGEMENT "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything." - Marty McFly (Back to the Future) This quote gave me inspiration to finish this research It doesn‘t matter how smart you are or how many medals you‘ve earned in high school what matters the most is that you believe in yourself that you can everything in your will and have the perseverance to accomplish your goal My deepest gratitude goes to my Almighty Father for giving me the strength, compassion, love and solidity to face my problems because I know He is with me and will never leave my side to face my perils alone I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Dr Norhayati Bin Hj Shariff of University Malaysia, Terengganu Who willingly gave me her time and effort to advice and help me along the way to finish my thesis during my stay in Malaysia I would like to thank my co-supervisor, Prof Do Tuan Tung for the patient guidance, supervision, encouragement and advice he has provided throughout my time as his student I have been extremely lucky to have a supervisor who responded to my questions and queries so promptly I would also like to thank Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, the Advanced Education Program Office and the University of California, Davis USA for bringing us experience and knowledge You‘ve given us a great deal of knowledge which we will forever be grateful for I sincerely give thanks to Laguna Private Schools Administrator‘s Association (LAPRISADA) especially Mrs Gloria N Lontoc for giving me the opportunity to study abroad and for believing in me that I can this ii To my parents Oryza and Remberth Cabangbang thank you for giving me the love and moral support I need as a growing person To my little sisters, Renesse, Reiyette and Reilee Cabangbang for bringing me cheer whenever I isolate myself in work I love you all and this one is for you guys Lastly, a man‘s success has a lot to with the kind of woman he chooses to have in his life That being said, I would like to thank my future wife Karyss for her endless love and support iii TABLE OF CONTENT PART I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study 1.2 Problem Statement 1.3 Objectives 1.4 Research Questions 1.5 Significance of the Study 1.6 Scope and Limitations 1.7 Definition of Terms PART II LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Understanding the Meaning of Ecotourism 2.2 Positive Impacts of Ecotourism 11 2.3 Negative impacts of Ecotourism 18 2.4 Ecotourism and Environmental Conservation: Can it be achieved? 20 2.5 Conceptual Framework 23 PART iii METHODS 24 3.1 Research Design 24 3.2 Population of the Study 25 3.3 Sampling size and Sampling Technique 25 3.4 Data Collection Method 25 3.5 Questionnaire 26 3.6 Observation 26 3.7 Data Analysis 27 3.8 Ethical Issues 27 iv 3.9 Profile of the Study 27 PART IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 29 4.1 Demographic Characteristics of 55 Respondents 29 4.2 Tourist expectations towards sustainable eco-tourism logistics at Perhentian Kecil 33 4.2.1 Environment 33 4.2.2 Community 34 4.2.3 Socio-Economic 35 4.2.4 Safety and Security 36 4.3 Challenges faced by the tourist at Perhentian Island Kecil 37 4.3.1 Problems encountered during the eco-tourism services 37 PART V CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 44 Conclusion 44 5.2 Recommendations 45 REFERENCES 47 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 Conceptual Framework 23 Figure 3.1 Research Design 24 Figure 3.9.1 Map of 28 Perhentian Islands 28 Figure 3.9.10 Perhentian Island Kecil 28 Figure 4.3.1 Kampung Pasir Hantu Village 40 Figure 4.3.2 Local villager and her son 40 Figure 4.3.3 Snorkeling 42 Figure 4.3.4 Regular business day at Perhentian Island Kecil 43 vi LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1 Positive and Negative Impacts of Ecotourism 10 Table 4.1.1 Demographic Characteristics of 55 Respondents 29 Table 4.2.1 Environment 33 Table 4.2.2 Community 34 Table 4.2.4 Safety and Security 36 Table 4.3.1 Problems encountered during the ecotourism services 37 Table 5.1 Summary of Objective 38 Table 5.2 Summary of Objective 39 vii PART I INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Environmental destruction is undoubtedly one of the most common concerns we are facing right now, especially to the natural resource base of underdeveloped countries In Malaysia, tropical forest is large because it consumes 60% of the land itself To attain the goal of becoming a developed country, we need to alter the forest in to urbanization, and logistic approach such as: building highways, railroads, warehouse and so on This leads to environmental degradation (Aireen, 2015) If ecotourism can generate profits for local economy while protecting and conserving the natural resource base of that community, it could be a strong alternative for numerous countries Ecotourism industry has been expanding at a fast rate in recent decades and considerably to be one of the important sectors to contribute towards national growth as well as regional economy, specifically developing countries like Malaysia (Dasenbrock 2002, ElTayeb, Zailani&Jayaraman, 2010) McKeone (2011) express that positive and negative ecological impacts of the industry should be understood well because this growth rate continues rapidly Malaysia is a country that has abundant natural resources for many tourism activities and niche markets Hence, the country has significant potential to become the market leader in adventure and ecotourism activities (Isa et al., 2011) According to Buckley (2008) ecotourism is recognizable all around the world for its positive impacts to environment, and ecotourism operators Some tourism lobbyists insisted that ecotourism has contributed to the social, economic, and cultural development of the local communities by preserving and helping the protected areas The Perhentian Island harbors an expansive coral reef ecosystem which has made it a huge hit for tourist to relish their holidays However, subsequent development of infrastructure threatens the quality and quantity of the biodiversity of the island Eco-tourists are fond of enjoying nature, culture, environmental conservation activities, and its development supporting local communities during their visit to the destination Ecotourism operator and other tourism lobbyist are arguing about if ecotourism can always produce benefits and support the conservation of the destination The protected areas are significant for the development of tourism in a place This study is made to identify the tourist expectation towards sustainable ecotourism in aspects, environment, community, socio-economic and safety and security This study also identifies the most significant problem faced by the tourist in Perhentian Island Kecil A poor operation of ecotourism can be a ―push‖ to a tourist, which can affect the tourist satisfaction and loyalty, and a well-operated one can be a ―pull‖ to a tourist, which can generate positive feedbacks and recommendations to another tourist Humans consume a major part of the natural resources every year for the sake of human‘s socio-economical development The planet‘s natural resources are consumed or contaminated by its human population Human survival needs drinkable water, breathable air and usable biological diversity Natural ecosystems are the world‘s primary reservoirs Chai NW (2009) Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Malay J Environ Manage 10:53-69 Chapagain, C P (2004) Human resource 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ALL INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED AS STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL SECTION A: DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF 55 RESPONDENTS Nationality _ Gender Male Female What is your occupation? Employed Full Time Employed Part Time Unemployed Student Retired What is your current education level? < 12 years of schooling Completed secondary school Diploma Bachelor Degree Masters and above What is your age range? < 25 25 - 35 35 - 45 45 - 60 > 60 What is your monthly income? RM 1,000 - RM 2,000 Low Income > RM 2,000 - RM 5,000 Average Income > RM 5,000 - RM 10,000 More Than Average Income > RM 10,000 High Income SECTION B: TOURIST EXPECTATION TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ECO-TOURISM STATEMENT A ENVIRONMENT Wildlife and nature is not well protected by the government Conserving natural resources is paramount in sustaining ecotourism Threats from local residents‘ livelihood activities affect the environment Good practices of waste management can maintain help sustain the environment Encouraging tourists‘ awareness on conserving the natural resources Enhancing and preserving the quality of living environment Boat/ferry operators have an impact on biodiversity changes in the amount/variety of living species and quality of ecosystems Maintaining heritage and authentic tradition in the community could be the push or pull factors for visitors Importance of government role in leading the financial cost and environmental impacts of waste management Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree B COMMUNITY Community needs to be supportive of activities on resource conservation Community should need to participate in tourists‘ proenvironment educational opportunities Community should support and encourage planning and resource management by the related operators Tourist should encourage the local community to adapt eco-friendly practice Satisfying the tourists with recreational quality Community helps to attract tourist attention at ecotourism site Providing diverse heritage and authentic cultural experiences C SOCIO-ECONOMIC Presence of ecotourism development does not help the economy of local community due to lack of skills Increased rate of local employment in eco-tourism Ecotourism can improve the financial status of local community Revenue generated from ecotourism can contribute for conservation sites Improving the infrastructure is harming and degrading the ecosystem Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree D SAFETY AND SECURITY Perception of safety and security affected other travelers based on past experience Inefficiency of security management by the operators lessens tourists‘ interest in the island Country‘s safety and security stability affects tourists‘ interest Personal safety is major concern to tourists Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree SECTION C: CHALLENGES FACED BY THE TOURIST AT PERHENTIAN ISLAND KECIL STATEMENT Overcharged for renting boats and overpriced foods and drinks The logistics services provided by tourist operator are not delivered as promised Short operating hours for logistics facilities in serving the tourists (local and foreigner) Lack of information on the eco-tourism destination (e.g who to seek for assistance during emergency) Some tourist operators have no knowledge on sustainable ecotourism leading to the degradation of environment Lack of signage and essential direction Lack of friendliness of local community Any bad occurrence of safety and security issues which relate to eco-tourism sites Poor logistics services can be a drawback to eco-tourism Overall rating on problems faced as tourists involved in eco-tourism logistics destination Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always PICTURES FROM THE RESEARCH AREA PERHENTIAN ISLAND KECIL RESPONDENT FROM SABAH, MALAYSIA RESPONDENTS FROM TURKEY VOLUNTEER TOURISM FOR TURTLE CONSERVATION BUILDING NEW HOTELS FOR TOURIST CHINESE RESPONDENT ECOTEER’S ECO-LODGE ... Tourist Expectation towards Sustainable Ecotourism: A Case Study of Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia Supervisor (s) Dr Norhayati Bin Hj Shariff Msc Do Tuan Tung Abstract: The Pulau... expectation in sustainable ecotourism at Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia To identify the significant problem faced by the tourist at Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia 1.4... Pulau Perhentian (Perhentian Island) is located in the South China Sea, 21 km off the mainland of Terengganu State in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia The Perhentian Island harbors an expansive