Perceptions of Local Communities on the Economic Impacts of Tourism Development in Langkawi, Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract:The Langkawi Island is a popular tourist destination in Malaysia, which development started in the 1990s. To date, it is among the ten islands most visited by local and foreign tourists. The development of Langkawi Island has influenced the economic structure of local community, of which, envisaged as a symbol to help the community especially in the changing economic environment due to its ability to generate income, employment and raise living standards. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the local community's involvement and perceptions on changes in employment pattern and incomes stimulated by the tourism development in Langkawi. This study conducted a self-administered household survey and had successfully retrieved 398 respondents. From the findings, results showed that local community experienced employment opportunities which in return contributed to an increase in household income. It is therefore, notable investment on tourism development should be of interests to the government as this helps in ensuring the local community's economic benefits.

Revisiting and integrating residents' perceptions towards tourism development in urban areas

“…The study's findings reveal that most of the local residents are generally interested in tourism, and to a large extent involved and participating in tourism activities around the Vilakazi Street Precinct. Similarly, the study found that township tourism in the area is largely associated with positive impacts on the community which is consistent with similar studies on tourism impacts in local communities (see for example Bakri et al, 2014;Bartis, Madlwabinga, 2020;Geethika, Gnanapala, 2015;Halim et al, 2022). Particularly, the findings suggest positive socio-economic contributions from township tourism.…”

“…The global growth and development of the tourism industry generates positive impacts that can be perceived as a contribution to the growth of host destinations and negative impacts that may potentially harm host communities (Giampiccoli, Saayman, 2018;Halim et al, 2022). Bakri et al (2014) state that tourism impacts manifest in different ways and across different dimensions including the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental. This section outlines some of these impacts and contextualizes them within the current research study.…”

“…It is worth noting, however, that a notable number of respond-ents (31.6%) were not involved in tourism indicating that they did not participate or engage in any tourism activities. Bakri et al (2014) argue that tourism is usually an unanticipated element that encourages locals to participate unknowingly in tourism development activities and initiatives. This implies that the residents who are unsure about their involvement in tourism may possibly be involved indirectly or may have previously participated in tourism without being aware.…”

El rol de la presencia de un área silvestre protegida en el desarrollo local. Un estudio de caso en la Región de Aysén, Patagonia chilena / / / \ \ \ The role of the presence of a protected wild area in local development. A case study in the Aysen Region, chilean Patagonia

“…Todos ellos han comprobado que, cuando la comunidad local se apropia de la relación de cercanía con el área protegida, se genera un conjunto de relaciones que redundan en el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida de la comunidad. Estos impactos positivos se registran en el ámbito económico, tales como incremento de las posibilidades laborales e incremento de los ingresos, así como en mejoras en los sistemas de transporte y comunicaciones (UNWTO, 2015; Cullinane, Koontz y Cornachione, 2018; Fauzi y Buchary, 2002; Mohd et al, 2014;Saayman et al, 2009;Pérez, et al, 2009).…”