In many countries, especially one such as Malaysia, tourism has become a key factor in economic d... more In many countries, especially one such as Malaysia, tourism has become a key factor in economic development, and the industry heavily relies on feedback from local residents. It is essential to observe and examine the perceptions of residents towards tourists and tourism development for better planning in realizing successful and sustainable tourism development. Therefore, this research measured the relationship between residents' welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding (emotional solidarity) towards tourists and their respective attitudes towards supporting tourism development. To test the proposed research model, we collected data using a questionnaire survey from 333 residents in rural areas in Malaysia. We used the structural equation modelling technique (Amos) to evaluate the research model, and the results revealed that the residents' willingness (welcoming nature) to accept tourists is the strongest factor that effects the residents' attitudes towards supporting tourism development. However, there was no significant relationship between residents' emotional closeness and their sympathetic understanding towards tourists with their attitude and support towards tourism development. Welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding are able to predict 48% of res-idents' attitudes towards tourism development and 62% of their support towards tourism development.
"South-East Asia has the oldest and largest backpacker trails. This paper examines the geographie... more "South-East Asia has the oldest and largest backpacker trails. This paper examines the geographies of such flows, drawing upon the largest survey to date of backpackers in Asia using qualitative research to survey the key changes from the 1970s to the 2000s. Backpacker trails have changed significantly and new routes have emerged including the ‘northern trail’ (Bangkok - Cambodia - Vietnam - Laos). It is to be expected that routes change as backpackers constantly seek new places, pioneering for later mass tourism. However, this paper suggests that using institutionalization as a framework, these changing trails and backpacker ‘choices’ can be seen as driven by growing commercialization and institutionalization. This then operates in combination with external variables (travel innovations - low cost airlines, and new transport networks); exogenous shock (political instability, terrorism); and growing regional competition from emerging destinations such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
The tourism industry is the second largest economic contributor in Malaysia, following the manufa... more The tourism industry is the second largest economic contributor in Malaysia, following the manufacturing sector. In 2008, recorded tourist arrivals reached 22.05 million and resulted in RM49. 6 billion (USD13. 4 billion) in revenue. The government has recognized the tourism industry in Malaysia as an engine for economic, social, political and ecological development, especially in rural areas. The Homestay Program is actively promoted by the Ministry of Tourism as a type of community based tourism in Malaysia.
Kelantan Darul Naim is a state blessed with many touristic attractions, unique art activities, mo... more Kelantan Darul Naim is a state blessed with many touristic attractions, unique art activities, mouth-watering dishes, the oldest tropical rainforest and the friendly nature of its people. With half of its coast facing the South China Sea and the land bordering Thailand in the north, Kelantan is also well-endowed with rich natural heritage that is definitely a feast for the eyes.
Page 1. 1 Working Paper Series Tourism Development and Non-linear Change in Small Islands: Lesson... more Page 1. 1 Working Paper Series Tourism Development and Non-linear Change in Small Islands: Lessons from Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia. Amran Hamzah Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Mark Hampton Kent Business School Working Paper No. 246 February 2012 ISSN 1748-7595 (Online) Co-published as Centre for Innovative Planning & Development Monograph 13 (2012), Faculty of the Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Page 2.
In many countries, especially one such as Malaysia, tourism has become a key factor in economic d... more In many countries, especially one such as Malaysia, tourism has become a key factor in economic development, and the industry heavily relies on feedback from local residents. It is essential to observe and examine the perceptions of residents towards tourists and tourism development for better planning in realizing successful and sustainable tourism development. Therefore, this research measured the relationship between residents' welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding (emotional solidarity) towards tourists and their respective attitudes towards supporting tourism development. To test the proposed research model, we collected data using a questionnaire survey from 333 residents in rural areas in Malaysia. We used the structural equation modelling technique (Amos) to evaluate the research model, and the results revealed that the residents' willingness (welcoming nature) to accept tourists is the strongest factor that effects the residents' attitudes towards supporting tourism development. However, there was no significant relationship between residents' emotional closeness and their sympathetic understanding towards tourists with their attitude and support towards tourism development. Welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding are able to predict 48% of res-idents' attitudes towards tourism development and 62% of their support towards tourism development.
"South-East Asia has the oldest and largest backpacker trails. This paper examines the geographie... more "South-East Asia has the oldest and largest backpacker trails. This paper examines the geographies of such flows, drawing upon the largest survey to date of backpackers in Asia using qualitative research to survey the key changes from the 1970s to the 2000s. Backpacker trails have changed significantly and new routes have emerged including the ‘northern trail’ (Bangkok - Cambodia - Vietnam - Laos). It is to be expected that routes change as backpackers constantly seek new places, pioneering for later mass tourism. However, this paper suggests that using institutionalization as a framework, these changing trails and backpacker ‘choices’ can be seen as driven by growing commercialization and institutionalization. This then operates in combination with external variables (travel innovations - low cost airlines, and new transport networks); exogenous shock (political instability, terrorism); and growing regional competition from emerging destinations such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
The tourism industry is the second largest economic contributor in Malaysia, following the manufa... more The tourism industry is the second largest economic contributor in Malaysia, following the manufacturing sector. In 2008, recorded tourist arrivals reached 22.05 million and resulted in RM49. 6 billion (USD13. 4 billion) in revenue. The government has recognized the tourism industry in Malaysia as an engine for economic, social, political and ecological development, especially in rural areas. The Homestay Program is actively promoted by the Ministry of Tourism as a type of community based tourism in Malaysia.
Kelantan Darul Naim is a state blessed with many touristic attractions, unique art activities, mo... more Kelantan Darul Naim is a state blessed with many touristic attractions, unique art activities, mouth-watering dishes, the oldest tropical rainforest and the friendly nature of its people. With half of its coast facing the South China Sea and the land bordering Thailand in the north, Kelantan is also well-endowed with rich natural heritage that is definitely a feast for the eyes.
Page 1. 1 Working Paper Series Tourism Development and Non-linear Change in Small Islands: Lesson... more Page 1. 1 Working Paper Series Tourism Development and Non-linear Change in Small Islands: Lessons from Perhentian Kecil, Malaysia. Amran Hamzah Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Mark Hampton Kent Business School Working Paper No. 246 February 2012 ISSN 1748-7595 (Online) Co-published as Centre for Innovative Planning & Development Monograph 13 (2012), Faculty of the Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Page 2.
Backpacker routes or ‘trails’ are emerging in many areas, including South Africa, Latin America, ... more Backpacker routes or ‘trails’ are emerging in many areas, including South Africa, Latin America, and Australasia. However, the South-East Asia backpacker trail was the original trail with its origins in the 1970s, and remains one of the most popular since the area continues to be a primary backpacker region. This paper discusses the changing geographies of backpacker flows in South-East Asia and is based on a major study funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism. The commissioning of such a study is itself noteworthy since, with the exception of South Africa (Rogerson, 2006), most tourism departments in Less Developed Countries have little policy interest in backpackers.
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Key words: backpackers; institutionalization; travel flows; Malaysia; Thailand; Indonesia; Vietnam; Cambodia."
Key words: backpackers; institutionalization; travel flows; Malaysia; Thailand; Indonesia; Vietnam; Cambodia."