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2. Master Thesis / Tesis Master
3. Institute for Environment and Development / Institut Alam Sekitar dan Pembangunan (LESTARI)

Title:	Valuation of Geotourism : a case study of Langkawi Global Geopark
Authors:	Sofia binte Ehsan (P54905)
Supervisor:	Mohd Shafeea Leman, Prof. Dr.
Keywords:	Geotourism
Issue Date:	11-Jul-2014
Description:	Geotourism is a new form of sustainable tourism, which relates geology and tourism in such a way that public can appreciate geological wonders and learn about the intrinsic value of geoheritage resources. Estimating the contribution of geotourism is essential to support resource commitment for the sustainable management of geopark in a climate where public funds are finite. The objectives of this study are to identify the framework for the valuation of geotourism and to measure the value of geotourism from economic (tangible direct benefit), environmental (tangible indirect benefit) and landscape (intangible benefit) perspectives. The data were obtained through surveys conducted on tourists visiting Langkawi Global Geopark at three popular geotourism venues namely the Kilim Karst, Dayang Bunting Marble and Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Parks. A total of 656 tourists were interviewed. Direct tourists’ expenditure methodology was used to determine the economic benefit of geotourism. For 2012, annual direct tourists’ expenditure is measured at RM1.32 billion attributable to Langkawi Global Geopark. For measuring the indirect environmental benefit of geotourism the Contingent Valuation Method was employed in order to determine the tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP). The aggregated WTP value for Langkawi Global Geopark is about RM62.89 million for 2012. Consumer surplus which is the differences between the value of tourists’ maximum WTP and the amount of their actual payment represents the potential earnings for each of the geoforest parks. This invisible additional economic benefit of geotourism is calculated at RM11.31 million for Langkawi Global Geopark in 2012. To evaluate the intangible landscape benefit of geotourism, geotouristic characters were evaluated based on geotouristic attitude (that include aesthetic, cultural, recreational and scientific value attitudes) and geotouristic behavior (that include economic, social and environmental aspects). Results show that on average 47.30% of respondents are geotourists, 43.86% are amateur geotourists, and 8.97% are non-geotourists. The results also indicate that average percentage of tourists who perceive geotouristic attitude is higher than who show geotouristic behaviour. A paired sample t-test shows that at 5% significance level there are obvious differences between geotouristic attitude and geotouristic behavior. Finally, the gross economic value of geotourism is estimated at RM1.34 billion plus the intangible benefit of bringing geotourists and amateur geotourists to Langkawi, which was not monetarily quantified. This study concludes that geotourism managed to draw tangible and intangible revenues to Langkawi Global Geopark and thus is very important to be sustained in order to protect geoheritage resources of Langkawi. The study findings recommend for geotourism promotion guideline and policy-making priorities for geotourism industry in four areas such as policies to sustain geographical characteristic of the region, to increase and capture more of the invisible economic benefit, to mitigate the environmental impacts and to educate tourist about the values of geoheritage resources.,Master/Sarjana
Pages:	273
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Institute for Environment and Development / Institut Alam Sekitar dan Pembangunan (LESTARI)

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