Sustainability of a beach resort: a case study

In Malaysian Eleventh Plan 2016-2020, tourism is one of the service sectors given priority by the government. It is claimed that the increase in tourist arrivals help to support the deficit reduction in service sector by contributing to the growth of the nation. Furthermore, the quick growth of tourism in Southeast Asia, as a result of amongst others attractive sandy beaches and nature, beach resorts have been on the receiving end of attention and focus by the tourists. However, prior studies claimed that these resorts were not properly managed and further actions need to be taken to ensure its sustainability. Thus, this case study aims to examine performance management of a beach resort in ensuring its sustainability. Specifically, this study explores the cost saving strategies adopted by this resort through its 25 years of operation. This resort is located on an island in Terengganu. The resort owner and employees were interviewed. The interview results appear to indicate that various strategies were implemented by the resort to manage their performance and ensure its sustainability in the business. Family members hold important positions in the resort to ensure the smooth running of the operation. Cost saving activities and smart business arrangements were made with suppliers to reduce its outflows

Sustaining the growth of SME beach resorts: a case study of Perhentian Island

Coral reefs are proved to be valuable resources for resorts and ecotourism operators. This study seeks to understand on how SME typed beach resorts grow in amid of challenges at Perhentian, a famous island destination of Malaysia. SMEs are vital cog in Malaysia’s realization to become a developed nation. SMEs in tourism-related industry contribute towards fulfilling future targets of tourist arrivals and expenditures. Similarly, resort, a form of the accommodation sector, plays a significant role in accommodating increase number of tourist arrivals. The authors employed in-depth interview technique on two resorts to gather primary data. Findings indicate that these resorts faced many challenges even though typically SMEs possess low entry level. Challenges range from difficulties in accessing capital, higher operation costs of resourcing utilities like electricity and water to facing external threats like seasonal monsoon and the lack of infrastructure provisions. The outcome of this research would be beneficial to other SME players specifically owners or managers of such resorts and policy makers from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia. Policy makers could further streamline their policies to better facilitate the channelling of loans or funds to potential and new players, stimulating further the SME’s arena

Tourism policy development: a Malaysian experience

This paper has the objective of tracing the historical development of tourism policies in Malaysia, an underpinning factor towards understanding the full potential of tourism as an industry in the country. It begins with the justification of using tourism as the agent of change, in the drive towards multiplying the economic base of the country. It ends with the highlighting of contemporary practice of tourism, with a notion to further strengthen established industry foothold. Secondary data, together with complementary data from in-depth interviews with policy makers formed the basis of the arguments. Findings suggest that tourism is viewed as a very important industry as emphasized by respective policies. Findings suggest too that although there are bounds of success, with regard to tourism development in Malaysia, the political-administration system, which is based on the federal constitution also, has some drawbacks. For one, a bottom-up planning in-put would be ideal. In parallel, planning and developing of tourism has to be dynamic due to the ever changing surroundings

A review on Malaysian women's leisure and perceptions towards solo travelling

The female travel market has shown an increase in leisure travel especially in Asia. Global travel is meant for men in the past but the women travel phenomenon has gradually emerged. Malaysia is among the South East Asian countries which is experiencing a sturdy growth in tourism. The aim of this study is to explore Malaysian women viewpoints towards solo travelling. This study addresses the activeness of Malaysian women in leisure and provides an insight of these women from the Asian perspective. A qualitative approach is employed in this study. Malaysia is a pluralist country and thus it would be ideal to understand the country’s social and cultural influences on women’s perception of solo travel. Data is collected among Malaysian women aged from 19 to 33 years old. An in-depth interview technique is conducted to identify the perceptions of Malaysian women on solo travelling and subsequently the travelling patterns. The findings indicate that the women possessed positive determination in overcoming the constraints of solo travelling. Furthermore, the individuals’ social and cultural identities do not restrict them not to take leisure travel. However, Malaysian women prefer to travel in groups instead of solo travel. This paper provides academicians, tourism marketers and policymakers with a glimpse of Asian perspectives, particularly of Malaysian women and solo travelling, and hence can better prepare the industry in tapping the lucrative solo travelling market

Tourism supply side: the case of Niah Cave's Swiflets

Often studies on tourism come from the consumer perspective. However, this study focuses on the supply side of the industry using the wonders of Niah Cave which is located in interior Sarawak, Malaysia. Amongst others, Niah Cave has hundred thousands of swiftlet population and the world's famous archaeological site to attract tourists. This article explores a venue whereby the tourism's supply side, in this instance, the swiftlet population could be bridged with the industry's consumer side. The evolvement of sustainability conscious consumers, particularly in the millennium era results in the advocation of consumption in a more sustainable manner, irrespective whether the products are manmade or in the forms of the natural environment. An interpretative research method with the like of observation and semi-structured indepth interviews formed the data gathering tool. The Niah Cave was explored in late January 2017. Findings show that Niah Cave was literally on the tourist map due to its world's famous archaeological site. The huge population of swiftlets with their nests attracted harvesters for decade. The processes of harvesting these nests which remarkably endured through climbing bamboo ladders and dangling ropes from cave ceilings, hundreds feet from the cave floor, charmed tourists

Halal food in New Zealand restaurants: an exploratory study

Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) believes that New Zealand, as a major exporter and producer of halal slaughtered meat in the world, can become an attractive destination for Muslim travellers. However, research has also shown that Muslim travellers find it difficult searching for halal food in New Zealand, with many having to prepare their own meals while travelling in the country. This paper is based on a survey that was carried out to investigate the management and promotion of halal food in New Zealand restaurants. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was administered through face-to-face interviews. As the total population of halal restaurants in New Zealand was (and still is) unknown, the snowball sampling technique was used, which resulted with a sample of 99 restaurants. Results show that a huge percentage of the sample did not agree that the Muslim tourist market was significant to their business. Many were also reluctant to promote their halal food or put up the ‘halal’ sign in front of their shop

Enterprising rural tourism for sustainable rural development in Sri Lanka

Diverse and fragmented socio-cultural and environmental fabrics of rural areas offer a number of tourism entrepreneurial opportunities in anticipating the diverse interest of tourists. The tourism enterprises embody different alternative tourism labels to encroach to rural areas and replace the conventional mass tourism. However prevailing tourism, development and implementation in rural landscapes do not compliance with the sustainable development criteria. The main objective of the study is to investigate enormity of the rural tourism enterprises in conjunction with SRTD process empirically. This adapted the qualitative case study approach to interpret the natural settings of socially constructed world of rural Sri Lanka. Semi-structured interviews of key informants, direct observation of community, appraisal of artefacts and field notes during the interactions in the setting supported to enrich the empirical study. Deriving thick rich descriptions through triangulated analysis of factual interpretations from multiple sources informs that inappropriate initiations and lacks in integration of stakeholders and local resources restrain development and designing of rural tourism enterprises to anticipate sustainable development challenges in Sri Lanka. Sustainable Rural Tourism Development claims the rural tourism enterprises to have rural tourism resource inventory, appropriate rural tourism product development and designing while integrating, cooperating stakeholders and local resources. Ensuring sustainability in rural tourism development envisages socio-community enterprises to contribute for sustainable rural development at large

Development growth of beach resorts: practitioners' perspective

The increase in demand for natural touristic features such as sandy beaches, colourful corals and warm weather at island destinations has led to the mushrooming of beach resorts. Beach resorts equip island destinations with places to stay for tourists while letting them enjoy islands' touristic features. Beach resorts accommodate both international and domestic tourists at an ever increasing trend. Nevertheless, the construction and development of these resorts at large was on an ad hoc basis. Although the existence of this segment of the accommodation sector is significant to the growth of the tourism industry, its unregulated development has led to many physical and socio-culture drawbacks. This paper aims to explore this process of development, filling the gaps in tourism destination planning. In-depth interview and observation formed the primary mode of collecting data, underpinning the qualitative approach adopted in this study. Findings suggest that increased number of tourists, international and domestic, fuelled spurious development of beach resorts. Demand for accommodation space spiked during weekends, long weekends and public holidays. Development was rapid and uncontrolled, although there were evidence that the government had plans to regulate this process