Scenic beauty preferences of Cameron Highlands Malaysia: local versus foreign tourists
Scenic beauty is an important component of the tourism industry in the highland environment of Malaysia. This paper presents the differences in scenic beauty preferences between local and foreign tourists visiting the Cameron Highlands, using a questionnaire survey (n = 439). The aim of t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Center for Promoting Ideas (CPI), USA
2011
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| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/3863/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/3863/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/3863/1/Scenic_beauty_preferences_of_Cameron_Highlands_Malaysia-_local_versus_foreign_tourists.pdf |
| Summary: | Scenic beauty is an important component of the tourism industry in the highland
environment of Malaysia. This paper presents the differences in scenic beauty
preferences between local and foreign tourists visiting the Cameron Highlands, using a
questionnaire survey (n = 439). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of three
scenic beauty parameters (natural, land uses, and management activities) on the scenic
beauty preferences of both groups. An exploratory field observation was used to
determine the relevant management variables that were probably associated with the
highland management practices. The Independent Sample t–Test was used to compare the
differences in their preferences. The hypotheses stated that foreign tourists were more
likely to agree on the effects of management practices on the scenic beauty preferences
than were the local tourists. While those hypotheses were not fully supported in this
study, results did indicate that there are significant differences in two scenic beauty
parameters: natural beauty and management activities. Interestingly, foreign tourists
stated higher agreement on the effects of the natural beauty and management activities
parameters than did the local tourists. These facts suggest that the foreign tourists were
more sensitive to the effects of the current landscape management practices than were the
local tourists. Secondly, the results also suggest that the foreign tourists appreciated the
natural beauty of the Cameron Highlands more than the local tourists did. Importantly,
the findings have implications to the District Council and Land Office of Cameron
Highlands, since the agencies can use the information to decide on suitable management
practices that benefit the tourism industry here. Good management decisions can help
protect and sustain one of the most precious natural resources of the country from
becoming exploited and exhausted. |
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