Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia

Many small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia have become wellknown destinations both to foreign as well as local tourists. However, as tourism authorities, hotels and tour operators increasingly focus on mass tourism and economics, environmental degradation and other issues are af...

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Main Author: Chan, Ngai Weng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Environmental Management Society, Malaysia 2009
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/1/MJEM_2009_4_Chan__ok_.pdf
id ukm-2288
recordtype eprints
spelling ukm-22882016-12-14T06:31:11Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/ Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia Chan, Ngai Weng Many small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia have become wellknown destinations both to foreign as well as local tourists. However, as tourism authorities, hotels and tour operators increasingly focus on mass tourism and economics, environmental degradation and other issues are affecting tourism negatively. In recent decades, Malaysia has realised the need for protection of environmental attractions and has embarked on many conservation programmes, but most of them are ad hoc and not sustained. This article examines how tourists perceive environmental conservation, willingness to pay, reasons for coming, length of stay, favourite destinations, favourite activities, etc. The results of questionnaire interviews show that small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are currently facing serious environmental degradation, with little or no comprehensive conservation, poor enforcement, with no clearcut vision from the authorities as to their future. The study shows that there is a need for a well-planned vision of development for the small islands and stricter control from the authorities. Without better control and implementation of a vision of sustainable development, it is envisaged that these small islands will continue to deteriorate and lose their glamour and attractions gradually. They need to be conserved and stay competitive to survive, given the competition from islands in neighbouring countries Environmental Management Society, Malaysia 2009 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/1/MJEM_2009_4_Chan__ok_.pdf Chan, Ngai Weng (2009) Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Environmental Management, 10 (2). pp. 53-69. ISSN 1511-7855 http://www.ems-malaysia.org/mjem/index.html
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Local University
institution Universiti Kebangasaan Malaysia
building UKM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
language English
description Many small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia have become wellknown destinations both to foreign as well as local tourists. However, as tourism authorities, hotels and tour operators increasingly focus on mass tourism and economics, environmental degradation and other issues are affecting tourism negatively. In recent decades, Malaysia has realised the need for protection of environmental attractions and has embarked on many conservation programmes, but most of them are ad hoc and not sustained. This article examines how tourists perceive environmental conservation, willingness to pay, reasons for coming, length of stay, favourite destinations, favourite activities, etc. The results of questionnaire interviews show that small islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are currently facing serious environmental degradation, with little or no comprehensive conservation, poor enforcement, with no clearcut vision from the authorities as to their future. The study shows that there is a need for a well-planned vision of development for the small islands and stricter control from the authorities. Without better control and implementation of a vision of sustainable development, it is envisaged that these small islands will continue to deteriorate and lose their glamour and attractions gradually. They need to be conserved and stay competitive to survive, given the competition from islands in neighbouring countries
format Article
author Chan, Ngai Weng
spellingShingle Chan, Ngai Weng
Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia
author_facet Chan, Ngai Weng
author_sort Chan, Ngai Weng
title Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia
title_short Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia
title_full Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia
title_fullStr Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia
title_sort ecotourism and environmental conservation in small islands in the east coast of peninsular malaysia
publisher Environmental Management Society, Malaysia
publishDate 2009
url http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/2288/1/MJEM_2009_4_Chan__ok_.pdf
first_indexed 2023-09-18T19:35:41Z
last_indexed 2023-09-18T19:35:41Z
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