Ecotourism Development in Recreational Forest Areas

Bhuiyan Bhuiyan

doi:10.3844/ajassp.2011.1116.1121

Abstract

Problem statement: This study explored the issues and strategies of ecotourism development in recreational forest areas of Malaysia. There are a number of forest recreational areas and reserves. The recreation forests are designated and managed under the forestry department. These recreational areas of scenic beauty comprise about 0.05% of the total forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. Ecotourism should be set in natural areas with special biological, ecological, or cultural interest. Objective: The aim of this study was to illustrate the potentiality to develop ecotourism in the recreational forests of ECER, especially in Sekayu recreational forest area. Approach: The data for analysis was obtained from the secondary sources. Results: The study showed that there was opportunities and potentialities in the recreational forests of ECER for ecotourism development. These was suitable location, availabilities of recreational forests, attractive natural beauty, pollution free environment, limited natural disaster and infrastructure development. There was some strategiesecological integrity, tourism urbanization, forest tourism development, government role and tour operator initiatives could be followed for ecotourism development in the recreational forests of this region. Conclusion: Appropriate policy, initiative and tourism development activities can be ensured ecotourism development in the recreational forests of Malaysia as well as ECER. In Sekayu, community participation must be increased for the sustainable ecotourism development in the forest.

Highlights

Countries are often seen as recreational assets and Natural resources at tourism destinations and there are generally few opportunities to earn income sustainable tourism development are growing topics in from them
Applied Sci., 8 (11): 1116-1121, 2011 defines sustainable tourism as one that improves the equitability of income distribution among the local quality of life of local communities, provides high communities (Bhuiyan et al, 2011b)
The aim of this study is to examine the potentiality to develop ecotourism in the Ecotourism relates to an experience in remote or recreational forests of East Coast Economic Region (ECER), especially in Sekayu natural areas that fosters an understanding and recreational forest area

Summary

Introduction

Countries are often seen as recreational assets and Natural resources at tourism destinations and there are generally few opportunities to earn income sustainable tourism development are growing topics in from them. Forest areas are countries are finding to provide sufficient funding for important places for the protection of ecological the maintenance of their national parks and forest systems and natural resources as well as for the areas (Krug, 2000). Tourism offers the potential to provision of recreational and tourism opportunities for provide economic development, through the provision the people (Boyd, 2006). Growing concern for of increased income and employment, conserving conservation and the well-being of the environment nature and funding for maintenance of national parks. Forest parks have the potential and perhaps even the obligation to actively promote sustainable development through recreation and tourism (Machlis and Field, 2000). There are a number of potential environmental effects that can arise from tourism that degrade the natural assets of forest areas

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion