Malaysian Tourism Research Articles

Older the better: senior tourists’ curiosity towards the home-sharing platform

PurposeSenior tourist is a salient segment of the tourism sector. This segment reflects a robust ageing population with discretionary income and an appetite for tourism activities. However, to date, there has been a paucity of empirical insight on how the combination of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations may influence senior tourists’ connectedness and booking intentions towards home-sharing accommodation. Thus, this study aims to investigate how senior tourists’ curiosity and social interaction may influence their connectedness towards Airbnb and subsequently booking intention.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model was developed and tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling to analyse data collected from a sample of 195 senior tourists in Malaysia.FindingsThe results showed that intrinsic (curiosity) and extrinsic (social interaction) motivations positively influence senior tourists’ connectedness towards platform accommodation, which in turn positively affects the outcome variable. Furthermore, this study found that a sense of connectedness is crucial in linking motivators and booking intentions.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was carried out in Malaysia; therefore, cross-national studies are encouraged to establish whether the findings described in this study can be extrapolated to other cultures/countries.Practical implicationsFrom a practitioner’s perspective, this study reinforces the need to address and understand senior tourists’ curiosity and how it may invoke their connectedness and behavioural actions towards the Airbnb platform. More importantly, this study gives home-sharing practitioners practical leverage on how combined intrinsic and extrinsic motivations may deduce senior tourists’ booking intentions.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature on senior tourism and the home-sharing sector by demonstrating the role of curiosity and social interaction in shaping senior tourists’ connectedness towards Airbnb and behavioural intentions.

A Conceptual Research of Satellite Tourism Destinations (Stod)

“Satellite Tourism Destination” or SToD is a concept proposed in this study and aimed at supporting the development of the tourism industry for the sustainability of the region and local communities. Increasingly intense global competition, imbalanced development, a lack of change strategy to a new paradigm and a pattern of visits focused on popularity have caused the movement of tourists leading to overcrowding, density issues, and less exploration of the countryside than the cities. Therefore, the concept of Satellite Tourism Destination is proposed to focus on sub-destination or destination support. The development of this SToD concept entails adapting the satellite concept, putting pressure on the movement of tourists, and empower tourism destinations through new products to attract visitors. The results of previous articles show the importance of creating a destination with the satellite tourism concept. Even though the term “Satellite Tourism” is normally used by industry players, such as the Malaysian media, which reports on the growth of satellite tourism in Malaysia, unfortunately there is no in-depth discussion in terms of academics or published papers. There is no concrete definition in academic studies. The impact of this study is critical in ensuring that future discussions about Satellite Tourism Destinations include stronger scientific and theoretical references.

The Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Heritage Tourism in Malaysia:A Review

Over the past several decades, the tourism industry centered on cultural sites has evolved into one of the most active and rapidly increasing economic sectors across the globe. This is especially true in countries that are home to a large number of heritage monuments. According to reports provided by the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, the cultural tourism industry contributed 551 million Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) to the country's economy over the course of the preceding three (3) years prior to the COVID-19 epidemic. In addition, more than seventeen (17) million individuals participated in cultural tourism events during that period. However, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic happened, the tourism heritage business in Malaysia has undergone a big economic collapse economically. As a result, the earnings of a great number of individuals have suffered as a result of this. This article presents a brief investigation of how the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted Malaysia's heritage tourism industry by doing a thorough evaluation of existing studies and statistics from the local government and offering an analysis of the findings. According to the findings of this study, the revenue generated by the heritage tourism industry in Malaysia dropped by an amount equivalent to 50% in the year 2020 compared to the previous year. In addition, there was a decline of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) jobs in sectors of the economy that are directly connected to tourism. It is common knowledge that the COVID-19 outbreak has caused enormous losses for the economy of the country; despite this, the findings of this study shed light on the extent to which these losses damage the economic viability of the heritage tourism sector.

Symbiosis between Caravanserai in Islamic Civilisation and Tourism in Modern Era: A Reference to Malaysia

Caravanserai refers to the accommodation for travelers to rest and enjoy the services provided there. Initially, it was known as ribat and khanqah. Its construction in Islamic civilisation is linked to tourism, which in turn generates the national economy. Besides that, its construction is made up of specific architecture. Thus, it is useful to promote the uniqueness of the country’s art, culture, and heritage as the main catalyst for the growth of the country’s tourism and cultural sector. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between caravanserais in Islamic civilisation and the tourism industry, and how it can be used to promote art, cultural, and national heritage tourism in Malaysia. The study presented a qualitative research design using historical study and content analysis approach. The sampling of the study was done in two stages, namely article search based on the use of keywords such as caravanserai, Islamic tourism, art tourism, cultural tourism, and Islamic civilsation, and review of the reference list at the end of the articles that were referred to in the early stages. Meanwhile, data analysis was also conducted in stages, i.e., the analysis of the written content followed by the implied content. The research findings showed that caravanserai has a significant relationship with the tourism industry in Islamic civilisation based on three things. First, its position is on the Silk Road, which was a trade and tourism route at that time. Second, the caravanserai is a tourist attraction because it has historical places and functions as a commercial center. Third, the caravanserai contributes to the economic growth of the country as it successfully attracts many tourists to visit the place. The research findings also indicated that the caravanserai can be used to promote art, cultural, and national heritage tourism in Malaysia based on its construction as a historical monument that displays certain arts and becomes a tourist destination for local history and cultural exploration. This finding is also supported by previous studies which agreed that culture and art can be used to promote tourism. Thus, the concept of caravanserai construction in Islamic civilistion can be utilised towards promoting the tourism industry in Malaysia in line with the National Tourism Policy (NTP) 2030, which, among other things, focuses on the keystones to improve the experience and satisfaction of tourists.

Augmented Reality (AR) And Virtual Reality (VR) Applications In Tourism: Embracing Emerging Technologies For Improved Tourist Experiences In Malaysian Tourism Industry

This paper investigates the impact of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) on the Malaysian tourism business. AR and VR have emerged as revolutionary forces, transforming a wide range of industries, with tourism at the forefront of this digital transition. Augmented Reality complements real-world experiences by superimposing digital information on top of the physical world, whereas Virtual Reality immerses users in simulated environment. AR and VR have completely transformed the tourist experience, including planning, booking, on-site exploration, and post-trip comments. AR applications enrich the tourist experience by providing interactive maps, historical insights, and real-time translations, whereas virtual reality (VR) technologies enable deep interaction in a variety of fascinating activities and provide a fascinating insight into the destination's attractions.

ENERGY TRAILS OF TOURISM: ANALYZING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOURIST ARRIVALS AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN MALAYSIA

This study aims to investigate the long-term relationship between Malaysian tourism, energy consumption, and their association with economic growth, and financial development, using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method. Utilizing annual data spanning from 1990 to 2020, this research examines how increased international tourist arrivals, economic growth, and financial development contribute to energy consumption in Malaysia. The study's findings reveal that growing tourism escalates energy demands for transportation, accommodation, and leisure activities. Furthermore, economic expansion drives energy usage through business expansion and increased industrial activities. Financial progress facilitates capital accessibility, leading to investments in energy-intensive sectors. In conclusion, to ensure sustainable future energy demand, this study underscores the importance of eco-friendly tourism practices that stimulate economic growth while minimizing emissions. Sustainable economic and financial strategies are also essential.

Exploring the Nexus between Healthcare Tourism Services and Tourists’ Behavioural Intentions in Penang: A Comprehensive Analysis

Medical tourism has emerged as a focal point in the realm of global healthcare, generating heightened interest and competitive advantage within the medical industry worldwide. This trend aligns with the increasing focus on tourism development. Within this paradigm, the current qualitative study investigated the relationship between medical tour services and the behavioural intentions exhibited by tourists in Penang. Through semi-structured interviews with five tourists who sought medical tour services in Penang, this study uncovered a multifaceted landscape. The combination of factors from the fields of medical and tourism services shapes tourists’ inclinations. The key factors include the affordability of pricing, the quality of medical services, and the promptness of service provision. Also, tourism service factors, including the attractiveness of tourist attractions, the suitability of accommodations to meet tourist needs, and the provision of well-being programmes, contributed to the increase in medical tourism in Penang. This study has significant implications for improving the service delivery of medical tourism and serves as a reference for future researchers. In conclusion, the study provides a perspective on the relationship between medical tour services and tourists’ behavioural intentions, inviting further exploration into medical tourism in Malaysia.

Establishing a Sustainable Shariah-Compliant Hospital in Malaysia: Exploring the Pertinent Concept

Malaysia has been a member of the Organization of Islamic Countries since 1969, and Islam is recognized as the federal religion in the country. The growing awareness of practicing Islam as a way of life among Muslims worldwide has significantly impacted the concept of hospitality services in the healthcare industry and tourism in Malaysia. As a result, there is an emergence of Shariah-compliant hospitals in the country to cater to the demand of Muslim consumers. However, the establishment of these hospitals lacks proper guidelines, leading to the need for developing standardized and regulated Islamic medical ethics and Shariah-compliant hospitals. This is crucial to ensure proper adherence to Islamic principles, especially in addressing concerns of the Muslim public and religious scholars regarding justified Islamic practices in medical treatment. To address this need, this study aimed to explore the elements or standards required in establishing Shariah-compliant hospitals (SCH). The study adopted a focus group discussion approach with 9 representatives selected through purposive sampling. Participants included hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, policymakers, academics, and representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Thematic analysis of the discussions revealed eight critical elements to consider when planning a sustainable Shariah-compliant hospital. These elements include ibadah-friendly infrastructure, Islamic medical ethics, Shariah compliance prescription, spiritual care support, Islamic medical service competencies, a conducive Islamic environment, affordability and accessibility, and an Islamic work culture. These findings serve as a foundation for future research aimed at developing a comprehensive framework for the establishment of standards for Shariah-compliant hospitals.
 Keywords: Shariah-compliant, hospital, concept

The influence of tourism on the road to achieving carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability in Malaysia: The role of renewable energy

As the effects of climate change on the environment become more apparent, numerous initiatives have been launched to achieve carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability. Travelers may be adding to global warming by engaging in climate–altering practices like flying or staying in hotels. Thus, this study examined the connection between tourism and carbon emissions, considering a few additional unique aspects. The long–run and short–run coefficients were calculated by applying the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method using data spanning 1990–2019. According to projections, tourism in Malaysia makes it more difficult to reach carbon neutrality. Traveler numbers along with fossil fuel energy use, economic growth, financial development, gross fixed capital formation, and population have a positive association with long–term carbon emissions. However, the findings revealed a negative link between renewable energy consumption and carbon emissions. Several methods, including Canonical Cointegration Regression (CCR), Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS), and Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS), were used to independently verify the results. The results of this research have important policy implications for achieving carbon neutrality and promoting sustainable tourism development in Malaysia by boosting renewable energy use.

Adopting Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) using coral health assessment as indicator: A case study in Pulau Redang Marine Park, Malaysia

Pulau Redang is a marine park island that serves as one of Malaysian tourism hot spots harbouring clear underwater scenery of coral reef ecosystem. Apart from providing ecological services to marine organisms, this ecosystem appeal has contributed significantly to tourism development in Pulau Redang. Nonetheless, despite being gazetted as a marine protected area (MPA), the coral reef ecosystem surrounding the island is being threatened by natural and anthropogenic disturbances leading to coral degradation most predominantly in areas close to tourism development. Hence, this paper aims to identify the status of coral health in Pulau Redang as an indicator in supporting management decision to adopt Marine Spatial Planning as a tool for the conservation of reefs in the island. The coral reef datasets were obtained from published articles and a report as well as in-situ data collection through Coral Video Transect at two different areas classified as “near to tourism development” and “far from human activities”. Overall, based on published data and the present coral reef survey from 33 surveyed sites indicated that majority of the reefs can be classified as in ‘fair’ condition. However, reefs located in areas where there are intense human disturbances are found to be in ‘poor’ condition. It can be deduced that natural disturbances, such as the tropical storm in 2019, and anthropogenic activities from nearby tourism area are potentially threatening the coral reef. Therefore, an ecosystem-based and integrated management approach of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is recommended in order to conserve the environment, promote ecosystem recovery while maintaining the socio-economic development on the island.

Ethical and Regulatory Gaps in Aesthetic Medical Practice in Top Asian Medical Tourism Destinations.

Aesthetic medicine merges art and medical sciences, focusing on the modification and enhancement of physical appearance through surgical and non-surgical procedures. While it is not globally recognized as a medical specialty, aesthetic medicine has become a cornerstone of medical tourism in several Asian countries, including India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. Despite its popularity, there is notable gap in literature concerning its ethical and regulatory perspective. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of existing regulations and ethical considerations in aesthetic medicine within the context of the selected Asian countries. Given the field's growth and its potential impact on both domestic and international health practices, this study is significant for healthcare providers, policymakers, and consumers alike. By identifying areas for improvement in current regulatory frameworks, the paper advocates for further examination to ensure that stakeholder rights and well-being are adequately protected.

The Relationships between Social Media Adoption and Homestay Performance in Malaysia

Social media has become the most popular marketing tool in the tourism industry. It has been determined that the advent of social media has allowed tourists from all around the world to directly get in touch and communicate with tourism organizations despite their location. However, there is limited research on the adoption of social media as a marketing tool in the Homestay program. Therefore, Kampungstay and Homestay Association Malaysia (MKHA) in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia has developed a platform known as www.jomhomestay.my to promote the program. Despite this effort, the findings stated that the homestay program has limited resources for social media and a limited ability to recognize it. Thus, this paper is to examine the relationships between social media adoption and homestay performance. The originality of the study will act as a roadmap for future research, assisting in the creation of the most productive homestay business plan and providing empirical data for this research.

Improving The Community By Cultivating An Entrepreneurial Spirit Through Nusantara Culinary "Ayam Geprek" in Rainbow Village Perlis, Malaysia

Purpose: The purpose of this community service activity is to connect Indonesian local culture, especially through Ayam Geprek dishes, with international tourists visiting Rainbow Village Perlis, Malaysia.
 
 Method: This community service was carried out in Rainbow Village, Perlis, Malaysia. Its activities include a series of carefully planned stages. Preparation begins with an internal coordination meeting to draw up a detailed plan and divide tasks. Next, the team had a meeting with the local community and presented the concept of the project. Ayam Geprek cooking demonstration was conducted on the hall premises.
 
 Practical Applications: The results of the Ayam Geprek cooking demonstration activity showed a very positive response from international tourists in Malaysia. They rated this dish spicy but very tasty and impressive. This indicates the great potential of Ayam Geprek as a culinary attraction for tourists. The active involvement of the community in this activity also plays an important role in facilitating the introduction of Javanese cultural elements through Ayam Geprek dishes.
 
 Conclusion: Ayam Geprek cooking demonstration activities have been successful in achieving its goals. The positive response from international tourists shows the great potential of Ayam Geprek as a culinary attraction. It is hoped that this project will strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Malaysia, particularly in the cultural and culinary context, as well as enrich the experience of international tourists in Malaysia.

DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS FOR MUSLIM FRIENDLY TOURISM IN MALAYSIA

Muslim friendly tourism is a tourism segment that adheres to the religious needs of Muslim tourists. It includes a wide range of services and facilities including transportation, restaurants, entertainment, and accommodations that designed for and directed at Muslims. Malaysia is one of the fastest growing countries in the Muslim friendly tourism industry sector, holding a sizeable market share. As sustainable tourism has emerged as the way forward for Muslim friendly tourism, specific sustainability indicators should be developed to be used in planning and decision-making of Muslim friendly tourism related matters. Yet, the majority of the existing sustainability indicators reflect other tourism niche such as ecotourism, small tourism enterprises, adventure tourism destinations, festival tourism, and ecological resort. Malaysia’s tourism industry contributed 12.8% to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021 and contributed 23.4% to the total employment. Hence, sustaining Muslim friendly tourism as a niche tourism segment is one of the country’s priorities. This study is on-going aims to develop sustainability indicators for Muslim friendly tourism in Malaysia. For this purpose, stage 1 of this research aims to identify sustainability indicators for Muslim friendly tourism and stage 2 aims to evaluate the relative importance of the indicators identified. Findings of this study is in line with the National Tourism Policy (2020-2030), which aiming to ensure the continuity of the country’s tourism industry and will support the Malaysian government specifically Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 on “decent work and economic growth” as tourism has the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly, to this goal.

Empowering Malaysian tourism with clean energy, sustainable environment, and inward FDI: evidence from symmetric and asymmetric assessment.

This study aims to assess the effects of clean energy, environmental sustainability, and inward FDI on tourism growth in Malaysia data spanning from 1990 to 2019. The study employs the Bayer-Hanck cointegration test, ARDL bound testing, nonlinear ARDL, Toda-Yamamoto causality, and Fourier TY causality test. Additionally, dynamic OLS, fully-modified OLS, and CCR are employed to ensure robust coefficient testing. The study's findings demonstrate a noteworthy and favorable correlation between the utilization of clean energy, the advancement of tourism, and the subsequent rise in inward foreign direct investment (FDI). Moreover, the NARDL model reveals the complex interplay between adopting clean energy, environmental sustainability, and tourism growth. The causality tests, such as Fourier TY, offer valuable insights into the direction and intensity of the identified causal relationships. The study's implications are diverse and complex. Firstly, it highlights the crucial significance of clean energy as a catalyst for Malaysia's sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, this research offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to leverage the economic and environmental advantages of integrating clean energy. Finally, this study contributes to the growing body of literature on the interplay between clean energy, tourism, and inward foreign direct investment (FDI), establishing a solid basis for future research in comparable settings. In conclusion, this research contributes to the enhanced comprehension of the intricate relationship between clean energy, the expansion of tourism, and inward foreign direct investment (FDI) in Malaysia. The utilization of various methodologies provides a comprehensive viewpoint on the dynamic relationships, emphasizing the potential for promoting sustainable development while simultaneously achieving economic benefits.

Financial Risk and International Inbound Tourism: A Malaysian Illustration

The impact of financial risk on inbound tourism is explored in this study by examining the effect of shocks in foreign debt level and debt service stability on the tourist arrival rate in Malaysia, based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Quarterly data from 2010 to 2020 were obtained from multiple sources, which include the Malaysia Tourism corporate website, the official portal of the Ministry of Economy Malaysia, the Department of Statistics Malaysia, and the Federal Reserve (FRED) Economic statistical website. A VAR model was estimated, together with the Granger causality test, to identify the relationship between financial risk, control variables, and the tourist arrival rate in Malaysia. We specifically consider the effects of financial risk on estimated impulse responses and variance decompositions for the studied variables. Empirical results indicate that there is a unidirectional causality running from foreign debt level stability, debt service stability, and industrial production to tourist arrivals. In addition, there is also bidirectional causality from the effective exchange rate to tourist arrivals and from tourist arrivals to the effective exchange rate. This study is the first of its kind to explore the effect of financial risks in the context of foreign debt levels and debt service stability in Malaysia. The study emphasizes the importance of monitoring the country’s debt financing threshold to maintain financial stability, which if violated would be detrimental to tourism.

Exploring the Challenges and Potential for Islamic Edu Tourism at madrasah institutions in Malaysia

Edu tourism at madrasah is a possible move to offer a new segment of Muslim-friendly tourism in Malaysia. The findings indicated that these madrasahs do have resources to be developed as tourist attraction, which can be part of Edu tourism element. Study revealed there are potentials for Edu tourism through in depth interview sessions which yielded three main attributes: recreation activities, spiritual and intrinsic values and locality and accessibility. On the other hand, the challenges faced by these madrasahs, in terms of financial and human resource are important consideration that require effective and efficient action from relevant authorities. However, it is believed that if these madrasahs receive support, Edu tourism could be the mechanism to help alleviate these challenges. Nonetheless, future studies may need to explore more on the feasibility and options for lending assistance for madrasah growth. The implication of the findings will be able to provide fundamental understanding on the madrasah management to generate income through tourism, be self-sustaining and at the same time, contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of the local community at large. Further, these findings can relate to the Tourism National Key Economic Areas (NKEA) focus to alleviate tourism to higher level of achievement by sustaining growth through new products discovery like Islamic Edu-tourism. Keywords: Islamic tourism, Islamic Edu-tourism, madrasah tourism, Muslim-friendly, Edu-tourism

Global Health Diplomacy and Commodified Health Care: Health Tourism in Malaysia and Thailand

Global Health Diplomacy and Commodified Health Care: Health Tourism in Malaysia and Thailand

THE EFFECT OF PLACEMAKING ATTRIBUTES ON TOURISM EXPERIENCES: A CASE STUDY OF PETALING STREET IN MALAYSIA

Cultural heritage tourism, a form of tourism in Malaysia that is vital for identity and place attachment, has a positive influence on the country's economy and society and helps individuals build a strong sense of place. Petaling Street is a well-known traditional street in Malaysia. However, in light of the tremendous increase in tourism and urbanisation, it now faces the threat of losing its Chinese cultural heritage due to commercialisation and touristification, which also affects the tourism experiences (TEs) of its tourists. Although placemaking is a relatively new concept in Malaysia, it is becoming an increasingly important component of the community as it is able to create a bond between a place and people. As such, the government is pushing for the concept to be included in urban regeneration. The findings indicated that placemaking attributes (PAs) may actually influence TEs at cultural heritage sites. This present study also identified three new factors. As the results indicate that PAs closely relate to TEs, it can be concluded that Petaling Street's TEs would be enhanced if it were to provide the appropriate services and facilities; which are considered PAs.

Exploring tourists’ ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes towards green hotels: theory of planned behaviour and norm activation theory perspective

ABSTRACT This study examined the role of personal norms, ascribed responsibility, eco-friendly reputation, and perceived moral obligation in tourists’ ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes and behavioural intentions. This study also investigated whether tourists’ ecocentric and anthropocentric attitudes play mediating roles. The researchers distributed 800 questionnaires to international tourists in Malaysia; of those, 393 usable responses were included for further analysis. We applied partial least squares-structural equation modelling to test the theory and path analysis. The findings reveal that personal norms, ascribed responsibility, and eco-friendly reputations have significant relationships with ecocentric attitudes. Additionally, ascribed responsibility has a positive relationship with anthropocentric attitudes. The results also indicate the mediating role of ecocentric attitudes in the relationships of personal norms, ascribed responsibility, and eco-friendly reputation with intention. The findings reaffirm the norm activation theory and the theory of planned behaviour.