Khairil Wahidin Awang

Tourism Supply Side: The Case of Niah Cave’s Swiftlets

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 man-made or in the forms of the natural environment. An interpretative research method with the like of observation and semi-structured in-depth 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.

Exploring the Public Participation Practices in Planning for Sustainable Tourism in Malaysia

Natural environment in Malaysia has become one of the major attractions for tourists. Participation in recreation and tourism in natural areas can bring many benefits such as family cohesiveness, relaxation, and provide green spaces for people to appreciate the aesthetical values of the park. These activities help to spread the awareness, disperse knowledge, and foster a sense of environmental appreciation. In addition, the development of tourism in these areas provides employment and economic growth of the local community. The increasing popularity of parks and protected areas as tourism destination definitely calls for special attention to its planning and management. It is crucial to ensure planning and development of tourism infrastructures and programs will not create extensive damage to the environment. One principle of sustainable tourism is incorporating public views and ideas through public participation practice. The study explores respondents’ opinions on the current pattern of public participation, with reference to participation in planning for tourism in natural settings. The results indicated some lacking, especially along the overall practice, on the methods used in the drill, the extent of information presented, the opportunity for the public to share views and the thoughtfulness of the public’s opinions in decision-making. These findings encourage for thoughtful consideration by the respected authorities to improve the current practice of public participation and calls for further studies to investigate further on the issue.

The vulnerable context of tourism development: evidence from Sri Lanka.

A large number of countries adapted tourism as a significant tool for development, but over utilisation of resources and negative impacts were claimed planned tourism development to ensure the sustainability. Sri Lanka also embarked on the tourism industry, beginning in the 1960s with planned tourism development. This paper intends to identify and understand the broader context of tourism development and its vulnerability with reference to Sri Lanka. This study adopted an inductive descriptive analysis methodology through informal and formal interviews and participant observation, in addition to a wide documentary analysis. Many researchers and authors verify that planned tourism development determines positive outcomes and attainment of desired objectives. Until 1982, Sri Lanka had recorded highly favourable growth in tourism. Since 1983 planning deficiencies, internal crises and natural disasters have curtailed the progress of planned tourism development. Conceptually, the tourism planning process provides positive outlooks of a potential tourism industry but in a broader context, political, socio-cultural, environmental and economic stability determine tourism development in a destination.