ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Climate change is a critical issue today which significantly affected not just the ecosystem of the community but also the sustainability of tourism industry. Climate change consequences on sustainable tourism are crucial because it increases the danger of species extinction, decreases freshwater, increases wildfire accidents, heat waves, and illnesses, all of which cause visitors to avoid certain places. This study surveyed the community awareness toward climate change and also their perceptions regarding the adaptation strategies for impacts of climate change on sustainable tourism in Malaysia. A number of 400 respondents living in the area of sustainable tourism in Malaysia which are directly and indirectly affected by climate change was selected to fulfill the objectives of the study. An online survey was implemented for the purpose of distributing questionnaire during the pandemic. The findings indicated that two domains derived as adaptation strategies and were named as enhancing awareness and capacity development and also diversification of sustainable tourism activities. This study significantly provides the policymakers a comprehensive adaptation plan to overcome the impacts of climate change on sustainable tourism in Malaysia through the community perspectives. It also assists the policymakers to strongly understand the consequences of adaptation measures of climate change for the future sustainability of tourism industry in Malaysia.