Exploring hard and soft domestic ecotourists preferences towards selected eco-friendly attributes of ecolodges in Kinabalu Park, Sabah

The emergence of the term ecotourism in the 1980`s has brought forward numerous developments in ecotourism industry including the discovery of special niche segments, specifically the `ecotourists`, as well as specialist accommodation type, specifically the `ecolodges`. Although a number of studies have been published with regards to ecotourists` traits and ecolodges guideline, limited information is available on the domestic ecotourists` preferences towards the characteristics that ecolodges embody. Hence, this study is an attempt to address this deficiency by looking at the preferences of two contrasting ecotourist segments, namely, hard and soft domestic ecotourists in Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Area in Sabah, Malaysia. A discriminant analysis was performed using 403 samples in Kinabalu Park, and it revealed two ecotourist segments with significant differences of preferences towards six constructs of ecolodges. It was also found that hard domestic ecotourists displayed significant differences in preferring eco-friendly attributes as compared to the soft domestic ecotourists on the variables measuring nature based attractions, services and comfort, location and type of accommodation. Soft domestic ecotourists tend to resemble the mass tourists as they placed importance towards services and comfort but disliked being in remote locations. The results of this study demonstrate that ecotourist segments deserve specific considerations by ecotourism managers to cater accommodation packages based on their specific preferences in order to ensure a quality ecotourism experience

Attractiveness of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) Canopy Walkway as a nature-based tourism product

FRIM Canopy Walkway is one of the main attractions for visitors at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Since its opening in 1992, the walkway has recorded visitations from all over the world thus bringing good revenues to FRIM's management. This study was conducted to assess visitors' perception towards the attractiveness of FRIM Canopy Walkway as a nature-based tourism product. Questionnaires were distributed to the visitors within a 4 months period whereby a total of 372 surveys were completed. The conceptual framework was constructed based on the Fishbein's Multi-attribute Model. The results indicated that the model provides beneficial means for the evaluation on multiple attributes as well as measurement on the attractiveness of FRIM canopy tourism product. From this approach, it was revealed that the most attractive factor of FRIM Canopy Walkway is the 'view from the walkway'. FRIM's management, particularly the Ecotourism and Urban Forestry Programme that is responsible in managing the walkway can use the findings to their advantage in deciding on the best marketing strategies and management practices required concerning the sustainability of FRIM Canopy Walkway as a nature-based tourism product

Local community ecotourism business experiences in Kuala Tahan, Malaysia

Many ecotourism destinations were developed with the dual purpose of resource conservation and local economic well-being. In order to achieve these noble goals, there is a need to incorporate local community participation in ecotourism activity. The vital justification for such participation can be found in the form of linking the economic benefits and conservation. Interest in such linkage was the premise of the present study which was set in Kuala Tahan (Taman Negara National Park), a well known ecotourism destination in Malaysia. The study was designed to examine the experience of the locals in businesses and how they benefited from their participation in ecotourism activities. A census was conducted in Kuala Tahan in 2010 of 69 locals who were involved in businesses providing services to the ecotourists in the park. Results of the study demonstrate an encouraging business atmosphere in Kuala Tahan, and the locals are optimistic about the future of the area. Several changes in business profiles were identified and compared to a previous survey which was conducted in 1993. Although most of the locals are still operating businesses in a conventional manner, some had explored and are thriving in new ventures. A number of problems which could impede the local business growth were also noted and corrective measures suggested

Potential of canopy tourism in Malaysia

The canopy walkway, a structure for observing the upper part of forest canopy was first built in Malaysia in the early 1960s. Initially, the structure was built purely for research, but later opened to the public as an attraction in natural areas. This paper discusses the potential of canopy tourism in Malaysia, its evolution, as a tool in conservation and strategies for the sustainability of canopy tourism while serving as a recreational facility in our forests

Effectiveness of wetland interpretation in affecting school children's attitude towards scratching of trees

Scratching or carving on trees by visitors is a common depreciative behaviour in most recreational forest. Besides spoiling the tree's beauty, damaging its wood, causing infection, thwarting tree's growth or even causing its death, scratch marks on trees will potentially make visitors feel angry and uneasy. Wetlands Environmental Interpretation Program (WEIP) was designed by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) to tackle this problem. About 72 fifth graders of two approximately similar classes from a National Primary School in FRIM were participants of an experiment. The effects of WEIP on the children's attitude towards depreciative behaviour were investigated. A self-administered questionnaire was given in situ to both the intervention and control groups. The respondents' behaviours were monitored for depreciative behaviours. The results revealed that interpretive learning experiences positively affected the school children's attitude towards scratching on trees. The message conveyed through environmental interpretative learning experiences could help resource managers in curtailing depreciative behaviours by influencing human attitude on the negative acts on flora, fauna, human and the environment

Willingness to pay towards the sustainability of Forest Research Institute Malaysia’s (FRIM’s) canopy walkway

FRIM’s canopy walkway is one of the main visitors’ attractions at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). It was built in 1992, initially for research purposes but later in 1993 the walkway was opened to the public for education and nature appreciation activities. Since its opening, the walkway has recorded visitation from tourists all around the globe, bringing good revenues to FRIM’s management. A study was conducted to estimate the economic value of FRIM’s canopy walkway, based on visitors’ expressing willingness to pay (WTP). The relevant values were estimated by utilizing dichotomous choice form of contingent valuation method and uses Logit and Probit models to estimate the visitor’s WTP responses for the access to the walkway. Based on the estimation results, the calculated mean of WTP ranged from MYR5.33 to MYR13.32 for the Logit model, and for the Probit model ranged from MYR5.39 to MYR13.02 based on 95 percent confidence interval. The study had shown that visitors to FRIM’s canopy walkway are willing to pay about MYR7.61 for the entrance perm it. The entrance fee collections are used as additional funds to the allocations made for the costs of maintenance and conservation of FRIM’s canopy walkway, which are quite high due to the technicality of the walkway’s structure and logistics problem to access the facility

Attractiveness of Forest Research Institute of Malaysia canopy walkway as a nature-based tourism product

FRIM Canopy Walkway is one of the main attractions for visitors at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). Since its opening, the walkway has recorded visitations from all over the world thus bringing good revenues to the management. As a new niche, canopy tourism is still in its initial stages and is currently lack in research. Hence, information regarding FRIM canopy tourism is essential for the managers in enabling them to assist and better manage the canopy walkway. Due to this, a study was conducted to assess visitors’ perception towards the attractiveness of FRIM Canopy Walkway as a nature-based tourism product. The study was also carried out to draw visitors’ information associated with the socio-demographic backgrounds, travel characteristics as well as determining the discriminating variables, which can best differentiate between users and non-users of the walkway. Questionnaires were distributed to the visitors between March and June 2010 whereby a total of 736 surveys were completed.The conceptual framework in this study was constructed based on the Fishbein’s Multiattribute model. The results from the study indicate that the model provides beneficial means for the evaluation on multiple attributes as well as measurement on the attractiveness of FRIM canopy tourism. From this approach, it was revealed that the attractiveness factor of FRIM Canopy Walkway is the ‘view from the walkway’. Through the Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), it was also revealed that the attribute ‘view from the walkway’ as the strength of FRIM Canopy Walkway, whereas the ‘numbers of interpretive signage’ as the weakest attribute. However, non-users are found to deem ‘existence of entrance fee’ as not important while the users ranked ‘usage of guides at the walkway’ as low. The results of the study further revealed that the function characterized as ‘time spent with quality service facility’ is regarded as the best predictors in discriminating the user and the non-user groups. In conclusion, this study is significant in providing an in-depth insight on the attractiveness of FRIM Canopy Walkway as a nature-based tourism product. Hence, the results from this study would not only be valuable to the managers and stakeholders of the facility, but also served to show the importance of conservation of the resources. Idyllically, it is hoped that the findings from this study will be used as a preliminary guideline for the management of FRIM Canopy Walkway as well as for the management of Malaysian canopy tourism in general

Mountaineering in Malaysia: a review and discussion

Over the past 50 years, mountaineering activities have become increasingly popular in Malaysia. The significant rise in mountain forest climbing activities can be seen in the rapid growth of the emergence of associations and organisations, the presence of mountaineering enthusiasts, activists, and climbing practitioners on social media, and the formation of associations at higher education institutions. In line with current developments, government agencies also play an important role in directing the movement towards a balanced goal for forest conservation and the provision of quality mountaineering experiences among climbers. This paper provides an overview of climbing trends and challenges involving mountaineering activities and mountaineering scenarios in Malaysia. The importance of improved risk management, empowerment efforts, and strategic partnerships between authorities and industry actors to ensure the continuity of Malaysia's climbing activities is also emphasised

Perspectives of scholars on the nature of sustainability:a survey study

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate different ways in which faculty members of sustainability-related departments in universities across the world perceive, understand and define sustainability and how these definitions are linked to their demographics and epistemological beliefs. Design/methodology/approach: Scholars from different disciplines investigate the sustainability of social-ecological systems from different perspectives. Such differences in the understanding of, and approaches to, sustainability have created ambiguity within the field and may weaken its effectiveness, impact and reputation as a field of research. To contribute to the discussion about sustainability definition, a survey was conducted involving university faculty members working in sustainability-related academic departments around the world. Participants’ responses were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 involving descriptive and inferential statistics and principle component analysis. Additionally, responses to open-ended questions were qualitatively analyzed. Findings: Factor analysis on sustainability definition items reveal four emergent universal definitions of sustainability, labeled as Environmentalism concerns, Common understanding, neo-Malthusian environmentalism and Sustainability as well-being. Statistical analyses indicate that individuals from developed countries are more likely to define sustainability as Environmentalism and Common understanding; however, individuals from developing countries tend to define sustainability as well-being. Also, more heavily engaged scholars in interdisciplinary research of sustainability are more likely to perceive sustainability as Common understanding. Logistic Regression models demonstrate a connection between epistemological perspectives of researchers and sustainability definitions. Qualitative content analysis indicates that interdisciplinarity and collaboration are the most common challenges to sustainability research. Originality/value: The findings of this study demonstrate disconnects between scholars from developing and developed countries in understanding and defining sustainability, and these disconnects may present further challenges for global sustainability scholarship.</p