Are resort operators in the ecotourism area demanding an environmental protection culture? The case of Lake Kenyir, Malaysia

Abstract

The negative impact of tourism development to the environment has received considerable debate in the past. Many have agreed that the success of a tourism industry is dependent upon wise usage and management of the natural environment. There is a need to examine whether the value and practices of the main players, especially the resort operators, are not destructive to the environment. However, limited attention has been given to the 'environmental sensitive cultures' of the service provider. The present study tries to fill in the gap by providing an empirical support to investigate whether resort operators in an ecotourism area adopt a certain organisational culture that is harmonious to the environment. A questionnaire survey was administered to the six owners and fifty-one employees of all resort operators located at Lake Kenyir, Malaysia. The researchers theorized that organizational culture which leads to more environmental sensitive values and practices are more apparent amongst the resort organisations. This study found that most resort operators at Lake Kenyir implement an ecologically friendly approach in conducting business. Empirical findings indicate that the resort employees have environmentally sensitive values. The results gave rise to new policies to be introduced in an effort to enhance environmental protection. Magnitude limitations of this study prompt the possibility of conducting future researches to cover a broader spectrum, on a macro global scale.

An Affecting of Community Based Tourism Toward Integrated Sustainable Homestay in Malaysia

“…Malaysia tourism industry started from the early 1970s and has become the second highest foreign exchange earner for the country after the manufacturing sector (National Malaysian Plan, 2004). However, Yusof et al (2010) Nowadays, the Malaysia homestay industry become demanding among the foreign tourist as well as to reside, have meals and be entertained by the cultural performances and traditional activities of the host and participating villagers (Aminudin and Jamal, 2006). Malaysian homestay is a type of community based tourism that employs a somewhat different concept than homestay tourism in other region.…”

The Impact of Tourism Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction and Behavioural Intention

“…In relation, perception study (SERVPERF) is argued to be relatively easy to conduct. As opposed to a service gap study (SERVQUAL) that involves data collection before tourists leave for their trips (tourist expectation) and after they complete their trips (tourist perception) (Yusof et al, 2010;khan, 2003). Unlike the SERVQUAL model, which faced much criticism because of its use of expectations in measuring service quality (v,1993), the SERVPERF model is argued to be capable of explaining higher variances and yielding better results (Asubonteng et al,1996).…”

Exploring the organisational culture construct for small and medium enterprises in the ecotourism of emerging economies

“…For example, in a recent study, Abd Rahman, Yusof, Daud and Osman [9] reveal that tourists are dissatisfi ed with the products and services offered in Lake Kenyir, Malaysia, complaining that most resorts in the area have appeared to neglect environmental practices. When Yusof, Said, Osman, and Che Jamil [10] surveyed resorts in Lake Kenyir, all of them claimed that they were aware of the need to protect the environment; yet, out of the six resorts in the area, only two had incorporated waste recycling, and only three of the resorts practised low energy and consumption devices, water saving practices, waste recycling, and local product consumption [10]. A study by Teh and Cabanban [11] shows that practices that neglect the environment, such as blast fi shing, are rampant in Pulau Banggi, a fi shing area located in the state of Sabah, Malaysia, and they warn that such practices will degrade the environment and lead to the destruction of the marine park.…”