Developing Tourism Index Destination Management (TIDM): A Framework for Regenerative Tourism in the Kuching and Sematan-Lundu Corridor

The discourse on regenerative tourism demands a framework that simultaneously advances ecological restoration and cultural continuity, especially in understudied yet resource-rich regions such as Kuching and Sematan-Lundu in Sarawak, Malaysia. However, existing tourism indices often fail to capture the synergies among environmental stewardship, heritage preservation, and visitor perceptions in these contexts. Hence, this conceptual paper is designed to develop a Tourism Index Destination Management (TIDM) as a strategic model to guide regenerative tourism development along the Kuching and Sematan-Lundu corridor. In particular, the TIDM framework integrates five key dimensions, namely uniqueness of attractions, range of activities, quality of infrastructure and tourist facilities, affordability and value for money, and safety elements. These dimensions are grounded in visitor perceptions and focus on critical aspects needed to improve tourist experiences. Furthermore, this paper contributes theoretically by aligning visitor experience measurement with regenerative tourism principles and offers practical insights for destination stakeholders seeking to balance tourism growth with cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. Therefore, the TIDM framework serves as a foundational tool for assessing, managing, and enhancing tourism experiences in support of long-term regional resilience and value-based tourism planning.