Impact of Tourism Development on the Quality of Life: A case study of Perhentian Island, Malaysia

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to identify the perceptions of the local community toward tourism development impacts on Perhentian Island. Specifically, the research examined the local community’s perceptions of socio-cultural impacts, economic impacts, and environmental impacts of tourism development. The research also examined the relationship between the impacts of tourism development on the local community’s quality of life (QOL). This research was conducted using a quantitative approach by obtaining responses from 272 local community respondents on Perhentian Island. A household survey based on purposive sampling techniques was conducted to select a suitable sample. The findings of the study revealed that the positive impacts of tourism development outweighed the negative impact. Based on local community perceptions, they believed that tourism development improved their quality of life. This study also finds the impact of social-cultural benefit, economic benefits, economic cost, and environmental benefits have a significant relationship with quality of life. However, there is a negative relationship between the impact of social-cultural cost and environment cost on the quality of life. The findings of this study are important for planners and developers in planning strategic and sustainable tourism development on tourism destinations.