Norliza Aminudin

The Effect of National Park Mobile Apps on National Park Behavioral Intention: Taman Negara National Park☆

Abstract National Park Mobile Apps (NPMA) is an interesting construct which might open new paradigm in tourism research in context of national parks. Although previous research investigated tourist behavioral intention in national parks, the effect of NPMA on National Park Behavioral Intention (NPBI) of tourists from developed countries in still lacking in literature. To address this gap, the current study developed a model which includes the effect of NPMA, as well as mediating effect of National Park Satisfaction (NPSat) on tourists’ NPBI. The research hypotheses where NPMA, and NPSat have a significant effect on NPBI was examined. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed among 500 tourists from developed countries visiting Taman Negara National Park (TNNP). The data was examined through deployment of structural equation modelling. The findings revealed that NPMA does not affect NPBI directly, however, NPMA has significant indirect effect on tourists’ NPBI through mediation effect of NPSat. Furthermore, NPSat was a full mediator. Findings of this study had practical implication for sustainable NPBI in national parks.

Do Age and Gender Influence Motivation and Satisfaction Among Special Event Volunteers

People have various motives in participating as volunteers in special events. In fact, motivation theories of pull and push factors have been the common dimension in identifying motivation among volunteers toward satisfaction. Nevertheless, a limited number of studies have investigated the influence of demographics (age and gender) on motivation and satisfaction among special event volunteers. As special events have been expanding around the globe, identifying, and understanding the factors that influence volunteer motivation and satisfaction would enable event managers to develop better strategies for the retention of volunteers. Hence, this article specifically discussed if age and gender influence motivation and satisfaction among special event volunteers, with reference to Malaysian context.

Investigating the Effect of National Park Sustainability on National Park Behavioral Intention: Kinabalu National Park

Abstract National Park Sustainability (NPSus) is an important construct in the context of national parks which will lead tourism industry to move towards sustainable national parks. Although previous studies examined the tourist behavioral intention through deployment of sustainability principles or destination sustainability, there is a lack of research on the effect of NPSus on National Park Behavioral Intention (NPBI). To address this gap, this study developed a model which investigates the effect of NPSus as an independent variable, and National Park Satisfaction (NPSat) as mediator on tourist NPBI. The research hypotheses where NPSus and NPSat have a significant effect on NPBI was examined. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed among 600 tourists from developed countries visiting Kinabalu National Park (KNP). The data was examined through deployment of structural equation modelling. The findings revealed that NPSus does not affect NPBI directly, however, NPSus has a significant indirect effect on tourist NPBI through mediation effect of NPSat. Furthermore, NPSat was a full mediator. Findings of this study had practical implication to enhance destination sustainability by better understanding the NPBI.

Understanding Homestay Sustainability Through Successor Motivational Factors

Like other types of attraction and tourist destination worldwide, the homestay tourism also definitely will reach its peak of development and stagnation level. Nonetheless, what worries is that it reaches that level prematurely due to problem faced by the supplier—in this case, the unavailability of successor to pursue the legacy of this community-based tourism (CBT). Thus, there is a need to study the motivational factors of current successor for homestay sustainability in order to ensure its continuity. This qualitative study was carried out at Banghuris Homestay and Sungai Sireh Homestay, Selangor, Malaysia. This study attempted to explore the motivational factors of homestay successors to participate in the programme. The motivational factors found were family encouragement, side income purposes and hobby. A sample of twelve respondents were interviewed in-depth during the study. To ensure the future availability of homestay as unique product in Malaysia, related authorities should focus on the motivational factors that may attract successors to become a homestay host.