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

Title:	Impacts of Ecotourism On Sustainable Livelihood of Local Communities in Lake Kenyir and Sekayu Recreational Forest, Terengganu, Malaysia
Authors:	Md. Anowar Hossain Bhuiyan (P51510)
Supervisor:	Institut Alam Sekitar dan Pembangunan
Keywords:	Ecotourism Livelihood Local Communities Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia -- Dissertations Dissertations, Academic -- Malaysia
Issue Date:	17-Feb-2014
Description:	Ecotourism is one of the components under sustainable tourism. In general, ecotourism refers to nature based tourism which has low negative impact on environment, non-destructive and managed by local communities and it benefits them. Sustainability of ecotourism destination plays a critical role in ensuring potentiality for long time and enhancing sustainable livelihood of local communities. The assessment of tourists’ satisfaction towards ecotourism destinations could help in improving its services. This study focuses on issues and challenges of sustainable ecotourism development in Sekayu Recreational Forest and Lake Kenyir of Terengganu in Malaysia. The overall objectives of this study are to assess the impacts of ecotourism for sustainable livelihood. This study examines sustainability of ecotourism, identifies the tourists’ satisfaction and measures impacts of ecotourism on sustainable livelihood of local communities. This study uses both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were collected through survey on local community, tourists and home stay operators in the respective areas. Relevant secondary data were collected from relevant documents and government publications. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. Based on Barometer of Sustainability and using weight of indicators, the study areas have been classified as potential ecotourism destinations (50<y<75) in terms of resource, community and tourism activities. According to generalized linear regression models, communication, assurance, empathy and environment dimensions have significant effect on tourists’ satisfaction in Sekayu Recreational Forest (p<0.1). Meanwhile, responsiveness, tangibles, price, assurance and empathy have significant effect on tourists’ satisfaction in Lake Kenyir (p<0.1). Based on factor analysis and Structural Equation Model (SEM), employment opportunities, home stay accommodation and local participation in tourism development are the positive impact of ecotourism in achieving sustainable livelihood of local communities. Furthermore, negative impacts of ecotourism tourism include low respect to religious tradition and degradation of natural resources. According to descriptive analysis, tourists have positive intention to help the local economy by creating employment opportunities and spending more income for local communities. The study shows significant correlations between attitude and intention of local communities in cases of preservation of cultural tradition (p= 0.014) and ecotourism planning and management (p=0.016) in the ecotourism areas. Moreover, descriptive analysis shows that home stay operation has significant economic and socio-economic impacts on the local communities. The findings and recommendations of the study would help the appropriate authorities in formulating and implementing policies for ecotourism development in Terengganu as well as other areas in Malaysia.,This thesis does not have a Master's / Doctor of Philosophy Thesis Certificate"
Pages:	270
Call Number:	G155.8.M4 B498 2014-thesis
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Institute for Environment and Development / Institut Alam Sekitar dan Pembangunan (LESTARI)

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