No abstract

The assessment of authentic beauty of rural landscape requires valid indicators of visual aesthetic to attain this, the paper aimed at produces valid indicators that considered perception and preference of experts and stakeholders with the application of theory driven indicator. The driven indicators are tested through a systematic approach by using Research Model Analysis to authenticate its veracity. The design, stratification and administration of questionnaire with special reference to demographic factors were based on the 5 photographs taken in selected rural area for both 126 stakeholders and 51 expert using Different Item Functioning analysis. The findings identify Complexity as the valid indicator that agreed by both groups.

No abstract

No abstract

Despite increased global interest in the impacts of natural disasters on tourism, less study executes exploring how tourism sensitivity is addressed at the destination level. Generating a link between tourism and natural disaster management is vital in places that rely heavily on tourism and are prone to natural hazards. Ranau, Sabah (Malaysia) is one of the disaster-prone tourists' destination area. Hence, this paper applies the case study of Ranau earthquake 2015 to explore tourism sensitivity towards natural disasters. A qualitative of in-depth interview is applied to acquire information needed from the Ranau tourism entrepreneurs and operators. To analyse the qualitative data, a thematic analysis is conducted. Overall findings show that tourism activity in Ranau are identified to be sensitive towards the 2015 earthquake with a significant percentage of sensitivity level on two elements. These elements are known as Source and Power. The Source element includes tourism products, size of business, development, and natural disasters management with a significant sensitivity compared to the Power element (social capital). This provides insight to the need of specific tourism system adaptation as response to the earthquake and considering the integration of natural disaster management into tourism development to enhance long term sustainability.