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Local Community Participation and Responsible Tourism Practices in Ecotourism Destination: A Case of Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah

Author

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  • Jennifer Kim Lian Chan

    (Borneo Tourism Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia)

  • Kamarul Mizal Marzuki

    (Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia)

  • Tini Maizura Mohtar

    (Faculty of Business, Economics and Accountancy, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia)

Abstract

Recognizing the importance of local community participation in responsible tourism and its benefits, this case study explores and analyses the local community participation and responsible tourism practices at Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, a premier ecotourism destination from the stakeholders’ perspectives. It also describes the perception and attitudes towards tourism development including the key issues and challenges faced by the local communities. The case study adopted multiple methods involving focus-group interviews and survey questionnaires with the respective local communities residing in Lower Kinabatangan. Findings reveal that local communities recognized that Lower Kinabatangan has great potential to be developed as a sustainable ecotourism destination and to generate economic benefit. Despite this, there is limited participation of local communities in ecotourism development and responsible tourism practices among the local communities. The socio-economic demographic of the local community shows that only 42.4% of respondents have work related to tourism activities. Lack of capital and knowledge in tourism activities are the key barriers for local participation in ecotourism development. For Lower Kinabatangan to be a sustainable ecotourism destination, the participation and engagement of the local community and the practices of responsible tourism can no longer be ignored.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Kim Lian Chan & Kamarul Mizal Marzuki & Tini Maizura Mohtar, 2021. "Local Community Participation and Responsible Tourism Practices in Ecotourism Destination: A Case of Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:23:p:13302-:d:692708
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    2. Agus Purwoko & Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat & Meti Ekayani & Syamsu Rijal & Herlina Leontin Garura, 2022. "Examining the Economic Value of Tourism and Visitor Preferences: A Portrait of Sustainability Ecotourism in the Tangkahan Protection Area, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.
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