THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY ---------------------- REMBERTH REAL ANGELO MANTALA CABANGBANG JR. TOURIST EXPECTATION TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM: A CASE STUDY OF PERHENTIAN ISLAND KECIL TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA BACHELOR THESIS Study Mode : Full-time Major : Environmental Science and Management Faculty : International Programs Office Batch : 2013-2017 Thai Nguyen, 2017 c DOCUMENTATION PAGE WITH ABSTRACT Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry Degree Program Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management Student name Remberth Real Angelo Mantala Cabangbang Jr. Student ID DTN1454290057 Thesis Title Tourist Expectation towards Sustainable Ecotourism: A Case Study of Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia. Norhayati Bin Hj Shariff Msc.
Do Tuan Tung Abstract: The Pulau Perhentian (Perhentian Island) is located in the South China Sea, 21 km off the mainland of Terengganu State in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The Perhentian Island harbors an expansive coral reef ecosystem which has made it a huge hit for tourist to enjoy their holidays. This research paper identifies the significant factor of tourist expectation towards sustainable ecotourism and also identifies the significant problem faced by the tourist at Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia. A total of 55 tourist respondents in Perhentian Island Kecil were selected to answer the survey questionnaire and employed a non-probability convenience sampling.
The results revealed that the tourist significant expectation towards sustainable ecotourism is that "tourist should encourage the local community to adapt eco- friendly practice" with the highest mean of 4.49 and SD of 0.742 and the significant problem faced by the tourist is that "some tourist operators have no knowledge on sustainable eco-tourism leading to the degradation of environment‖ with the highest mean of 3.82 and SD of 1. The findings recommend that government and eco-tourist should embark an advocacy programs to educate people within communities where ecotourism resources are located, and to understand the need for protecting these pristine natural resources and its long term benefit on the community. The study also recommend ways to raise environmental awareness in the community and basic management criteria should be implemented and adopted by operators who wish to sustain the ecotourism operation. Ecotourism; Ecosystem; Eco-friendly; Tourist Expectation Keywords: Number of pages: Fifty-nine (59) pages Date of Submission: November 2017 Signature of the Supervisor c ACKNOWLEDGEMENT "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything." - Marty McFly (Back to the Future) This quote gave me inspiration to finish this research.
It doesn‘t matter how smart you are or how many medals you‘ve earned in high school what matters the most is that you believe in yourself that you can do everything in your will and have the perseverance to accomplish your goal. My deepest gratitude goes to my Almighty Father for giving me the strength, compassion, love and solidity to face my problems because I know He is with me and will never leave my side to face my perils alone. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to Dr. Norhayati Bin Hj Shariff of University Malaysia, Terengganu.
Who willingly gave me her time and effort to advice and help me along the way to finish my thesis during my stay in Malaysia. I would like to thank my co-supervisor, Prof. Do Tuan Tung for the patient guidance, supervision, encouragement and advice he has provided throughout my time as his student. I have been extremely lucky to have a supervisor who responded to my questions and queries so promptly.
I would also like to thank Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry, the Advanced Education Program Office and the University of California, Davis USA for bringing us experience and knowledge. You‘ve given us a great deal of knowledge which we will forever be grateful for. I sincerely give thanks to Laguna Private Schools Administrator‘s Association (LAPRISADA) especially Mrs. Lontoc for giving me the opportunity to study abroad and for believing in me that I can do this.
ii c To my parents Oryza and Remberth Cabangbang thank you for giving me the love and moral support I need as a growing person. To my little sisters, Renesse, Reiyette and Reilee Cabangbang for bringing me cheer whenever I isolate myself in work. I love you all and this one is for you guys. Lastly, a man‘s success has a lot to do with the kind of woman he chooses to have in his life.
That being said, I would like to thank my future wife Karyss for her endless love and support. iii c TABLE OF CONTENT PART I. Background of the Study. Significance of the Study.
Scope and Limitations. Definition of Terms. Understanding the Meaning of Ecotourism. Positive Impacts of Ecotourism.
Negative impacts of Ecotourism. Ecotourism and Environmental Conservation: Can it be achieved?. Population of the Study. Sampling size and Sampling Technique.
Data Collection Method. Profile of the Study. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. Demographic Characteristics of 55 Respondents .2 Tourist expectations towards sustainable eco-tourism logistics at Perhentian Kecil.
Safety and Security. Challenges faced by the tourist at Perhentian Island Kecil. Problems encountered during the eco-tourism services. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION.
47 v c LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.10 Perhentian Island Kecil .1 Kampung Pasir Hantu Village .2 Local villager and her son .4 Regular business day at Perhentian Island Kecil. 43 vi c LIST OF TABLES Table 2.1 Positive and Negative Impacts of Ecotourism .1 Demographic Characteristics of 55 Respondents .4 Safety and Security .1 Problems encountered during the ecotourism services. Summary of Objective 1 .2 Summary of Objective 2. Background of the Study Environmental destruction is undoubtedly one of the most common concerns we are facing right now, especially to the natural resource base of underdeveloped countries.
In Malaysia, tropical forest is large because it consumes 60% of the land itself. To attain the goal of becoming a developed country, we need to alter the forest in to urbanization, and logistic approach such as: building highways, railroads, warehouse and so on. This leads to environmental degradation (Aireen, 2015). If ecotourism can generate profits for local economy while protecting and conserving the natural resource base of that community, it could be a strong alternative for numerous countries.
Ecotourism industry has been expanding at a fast rate in recent decades and considerably to be one of the important sectors to contribute towards national growth as well as regional economy, specifically developing countries like Malaysia (Dasenbrock 2002, ElTayeb, Zailani&Jayaraman, 2010). McKeone (2011) express that positive and negative ecological impacts of the industry should be understood well because this growth rate continues rapidly. Malaysia is a country that has abundant natural resources for many tourism activities and niche markets. Hence, the country has significant potential to become the market leader in adventure and ecotourism activities (Isa et al.
According to Buckley (2008) ecotourism is recognizable all around the world for its positive impacts to 1 c environment, and ecotourism operators. Some tourism lobbyists insisted that ecotourism has contributed to the social, economic, and cultural development of the local communities by preserving and helping the protected areas. The Perhentian Island harbors an expansive coral reef ecosystem which has made it a huge hit for tourist to relish their holidays. However, subsequent development of infrastructure threatens the quality and quantity of the biodiversity of the island.
Eco-tourists are fond of enjoying nature, culture, environmental conservation activities, and its development supporting local communities during their visit to the destination. Ecotourism operator and other tourism lobbyist are arguing about if ecotourism can always produce benefits and support the conservation of the destination. The protected areas are significant for the development of tourism in a place. This study is made to identify the tourist expectation towards sustainable ecotourism in 4 aspects, environment, community, socio-economic and safety and security.
This study also identifies the most significant problem faced by the tourist in Perhentian Island Kecil. A poor operation of ecotourism can be a ―push‖ to a tourist, which can affect the tourist satisfaction and loyalty, and a well-operated one can be a ―pull‖ to a tourist, which can generate positive feedbacks and recommendations to another tourist. Humans consume a major part of the natural resources every year for the sake of human‘s socio-economical development. The planet‘s natural resources are consumed or contaminated by its human population.
Human survival needs drinkable water, breathable air and usable biological diversity. Natural ecosystems are the world‘s primary reservoirs 2 c for humans‖ (Buckley, 2008, p. The basic needs of human are satisfied and fulfilled after consumption of a vital portion of natural resources. Apart from this modernization, industrialization, and urbanization are other processes under-taken by humans to fulfill their socio-economic demands and ambitions, which lead towards heavy consumption of natural resources.
These activities are leading to the reduction of natural wilderness (Catherine, 2011) Hence, protection of natural resources for environmental development for sustainable earth is important. Many theories have been written and explaining the importance of ecotourism for conservation of nature and its resources. The literature has described the impacts of ecotourism briefly (Buckley, 2008). Problem Statement Perhentian Island of Terengganu state has emerged as a new ecotourism destination for its famous white sand and rich coral reef ecosystems, inter-tidal habitats, along with diversified culture (Islam et al.
Since ecotourism is still developing in Terengganu district, the growth of this industry brings impact towards the environment specifically islands. The European Enterprise and industry stated that ―to achieve long term sustainability it needs to balance between sustainability in economic, environmental and socio- cultural terms.‖ Hence, tourist destinations like Perhentian Island should follow these practices. Tourist that expects a sustainable ecotourism in the island can help the growth of local businesses at the same time maintains the beauty of the island for next generation to enjoy. A well-operating transportation and ecotourism sector is essential to the growth of ecotourism 3 c sites; however poor services can be a huge drawback to tourist.
On the other hand, good ecotourism services can be a huge role for tourist satisfaction and loyalty. To identify the significant factor of tourist expectation in sustainable ecotourism at Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia. To identify the significant problem faced by the tourist at Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia. What is the significant factor that identifies the tourist expectation in Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia? 2.
What is the significant problem faced by the tourist in Perhentian Island Kecil Terengganu, Malaysia? 1. Significance of the Study This research proved to be significant because Malaysia is a top ecotourism destination in the Asia Pacific and therefore provides us with a working framework of what ecotourism principles are most valuable in ensuring sustainability. This research is also beneficial to the ecotourism site because if the services and operation are swift and performing well it would result into tourist satisfaction and generate positive feedbacks and recommendations to others. To limit negative impacts, there must be sustainable management of ecotourism and transportation in the site.
This study would give opportunities for knowledge transfer from previous studies and researchers to the author, 4 c himself. This study would serve as a baseline reference for cognitive researchers. It would also broaden up their minds to explore different areas of related research. This study also provides explanations and awareness about the advantage of ecotourism in the community, which can help to mitigate negative impacts on the environment.
It would also encourage everyone to become allies of our Mother Earth to engage him or her in behavior that can help towards sustainability goals. Scope and Limitations The scope of this study is at Perhentian Island Kecil, Terengganu. This research study is focused on the tourist expectation in sustainable ecotourism in terms of environment, community, socio-economic, safety and security and it also focused on the problems that tourist are facing in the study site. Thus, this study will reveal the expectation of tourists and the problems that they are facing by distributing questionnaires and observing.