ASSESSMENT OF NATURE-BASED TOURISM IN SOUTH KELANTAN, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Nature-based tourism is an important part of the global tourism industry, and its components and features vary considerably from one destination to another. In Malaysia, location, quality and quantity of natural resources, and their infrastructure have not been well documented in the past. Thus, this paper attempts to assess the potential of natural tourism destinations in South Kelantan, by selecting fifteen destinations such as waterfalls and caves as case studies. Based on GIS application, 23 indicators for tourism destination assessment were investigated using observation and checklist techniques. The destinations were further classified based on physical features, infrastructure and accessibility. The results showed that 3 destinations were in the first category, 11 in the second category and only one destination in the third category. This study found that GIS application is effective in providing higher quality of information for natural tourism destination, which is an essential tool for decision making process.