Intersection Between Stakeholder's Collaboration and Governance Practices for Sustainable Ecotourism: A Literature
Review
Suraiya Ibrahim1, Aidil Hanafi Amirrudin2, Shahrul Aiman Kamaruzzaman3, Haslina Hassan Basri1, Nurshahirah Salehuddin2
1 Senior Lecturer. Faculty of Science and Human Applied, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia
2 Research Fellow. Faculty of Science and Human Applied, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia
3 Faculty of Science and Human Applied, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected] Accepted: 15 October 2022 | Published: 1 November 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55057/ajact.2022.4.3.5
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Abstract: Ecotourism has been one of the popular sectors in Malaysia. The existence of ecotourism originated from the demand for nature-based tourists. It is to encourage the visitors, tourists, and locals about the positive impact of the nature-based environment in ecotourism. The study of ecotourism in the Northern state of Malaysia specifically in Perlis has many outcomes issues within the transportation, development and sustainability in ecotourism. This study also investigates the linkages between stakeholders' collaboration and governance practices in the ecotourism sector in Perlis, Malaysia. Stakeholders' collaboration is considered important support to the development of ecotourism in Malaysia. The qualitative methodology will be conducted in this study, including interviews with tour operators and knowledgeable people to explain the issues, funds and stakeholders' collaboration and governance practices.
Keywords: Ecotourism, Governance Practices, Stakeholder’s Collaboration
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1. Introduction
The term "ecotourism" contains ambiguities (Cater, 1994). Blangy and Wood (1993) define ecotourism as a responsible trip to natural places that conserves the environment and promotes the well-being of locals. Another term in this study describes ecological tourism or ecotourism as travel to relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated natural locations with the explicit purpose of studying, admiring, and enjoying the landscape and its wild flora and fauna (Stojanovic et al., 2021). Therefore, it is one of the federal or state government's responsibilities to look into the sector, as its development relies on government financing and involvement.
Phillips et al. (2019) suggested that stakeholder collaboration may have an impact on organisational goals. As a result, stakeholder participation boosts organisational performance and value creation (Sachs & Ruhli, 2011; Harrison & Wicks, 2013; Muda et al., 2018). Future practises of the ecotourism system, on the other extreme, may develop sustainable stakeholders by exchanging ideas and pursuing solutions beyond their conceptions of what is and is not attainable. However, to guarantee that stakeholder participation leads to excellent success
criteria, stakeholder collaboration and governance practices, particularly among local tour operators, seem to be critical.
Likewise, Mukhtar and Ali (2011) argued that excellent governance activities are critical to the successful implementation of organisational objectives. However, exceptional governance has been identified as a critical determinant in sustaining long-term growth and development (Samsudin 2011). In addition, Hendrix et al. (2021) contended that good governance approaches can provide protected area authorities with meaningful tools to assist the sustainable expansion of ecotourism in a variety of countries. While good governance promotes accountability, openness, efficiency, and the rule of law at all levels, it also allows for the effective management of human, environmental, economic, and financial resources for equitable and long-term development, as well as ensuring civil society participation in decision-making. Developing and building eco-tourism in environmentally sensitive areas, particularly in Perlis, provides significant obstacles in terms of achieving a strategic stance that maximises the interests of numerous stakeholders (Osman et al., 2018; Tseng et al., 2019). As a result, this research will discover why stakeholder collaboration and governance practices are critical to the growth and sustainability of ecotourism.
2. Literature Review
2.1 Sustainable Ecotourism
Sustainable ecotourism may be described as the use of protected or vulnerable natural areas that emphasise environmental education and conservation while preserving local inhabitants' economic and social welfare. In other words, the governance practices might bring more positive implications since natural resource conservation, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and economic improvement are among the most important benefits of ecotourism objectives (Ashok et al. 2017). However, previous research proved that sustainability ecotourism can be achieved but might not last long due to several visitors' behaviours. Several incidents have been reported by the media for instance; a large number of visitors contributed to poor conditions and difficulty to minimise the dangerous hazard in the area (Qureshi et al., 2020).
Moreover, Ismail et al. (2021), stressed that sustainable ecotourism development needs appropriate planning and participatory and integrated management. It must be culturally meaningful, financially feasible, and environmentally friendly. Even though the term governance is used less frequently in the government sector regarding ecotourism policy, and destination management, there have been active arguments over its role in promoting sustainable tourism (Feng, 2021). Therefore, developing sustainable ecotourism, governance practices and stakeholder collaboration be part of crucial roles in ecotourism planning and development. Therefore, stakeholder analysis and management are essential to governance practices for enhancing the ecotourism industries for long-term viability.
2.2 Governance in Ecotourism
Governance is defined as the structure-function of public institutions that enables the government to carry out its responsibilities. The use of autonomous states and corrective action strategies in capitalist environmental governance were examined (Fletcher, 2017). The government plays a role in the development of the tourism sector. Given the studies on the ecotourism sector, governance practices must be refined. However, the government's involvement in tourism policy, development, and planning is based on the sector's became
important to the national and local economies and the political ideologies that dictate economic and social policy (Dudley et al., 2021).
In term of the public sector accountability practices, government objectives and the impact of environmental ecotourism policies has been announced and developed. While, the ecotourism sector is not well tended for, as evidenced by the public sector situation and governance regulations. However, another objective of ecotourism governance practice is to guarantee that communities and ecotourism sectors can establish long-term tourist sustainability. Tourism governance seeks to manage and coordinate destinations and engage with local stakeholders in the design and development of destinations (Presenza et al., 2019).
As indicated by the literature, governance practices in ecotourism also create beneficial forms of commitment and collaboration between public and private stakeholders and assist policymakers in executing sustainable ecotourism development (Mulyani, Ahsani, & Wijaya, 2021). Similarly, the governance practices in terms of managing relationships with stakeholders ensure the validity and acceptance of ecotourism governance practices (Hall, 2019; UNWTO World Tourism Organization, 2017). The governance practices within ecotourism sectors consider acceptable if the growth of ecotourism may be sustained over the long run through government and good relationships with stakeholders.
2.3 Stakeholders’ Collaboration in Ecotourism
Collaboration among stakeholders is a technique by which individuals with diverse and identical perspectives may exchange ideas and seek solutions that exceed their understanding of what is possible. Therefore, collaboration extends beyond (passively or actively) participating persons in a process. It is recognised as a crucial aspect of sustainable development, especially when a diverse and representative array of stakeholders from many sectors are involved. The destination's community may actively participate and aim for success.
Collaboration is also considered for achieving similar goals (Bichler, 2021). The collaboration with similar goals would be beneficial for governance practises and stakeholder collaboration to enhance ecotourism's sustainable development, which would be profitable for the ecotourism industry.
The ultimate objectives of stakeholder collaboration for ecotourism implementation at the destination are crucial for the success of ecotourism, and stakeholders can persuasively suggest the proper development (Lalicic, 2018). Hence, it can be associated with the vertical stakeholder partnerships perspective since it can utilise the various stakeholder positions along the value chain by offering impartial and complementary knowledge, which is essential for ecotourism innovation (Ozdemir, 2020). The benefit of vertical stakeholder engagement is that it stimulates more innovation in the ecotourism industry's ecosystem, leading to more fruitful endeavours.
Besides, stakeholders’ collaboration enables the division of work in a manner that influences ecotourism; therefore, these responsibilities must be blended into a unified whole. In contrast, productive collaboration necessitates simultaneous cooperation and coordination as crucial factors relating to governance processes and stakeholder participation (Valk & Kratovit, 2021).
It is recommended, though, that stakeholders be kept informed, "shaken" or taken out of their comfort zone, asked for comments, and collaborated with. It would result in favourable environmental improvement measures. According to Lieberman et al. (2019), ecotourism does not necessitate such specialisation, but rather synchronises the actions of all project partners at
Stakeholders c ollaboration permits the assignment of duties in a way that affects stakeholders;
thus, these obligations must be integrated into a more inclusive practice. Productive collaboration, in contrast, requires contemporaneous cooperation and coordination as basic parts of the relationship. Valk, A., & Kratovitš, M. (2021). However, it is recommended that stakeholders be educated and "shaken," that is, taken out of their comfort zone, asked for comments, and collaborated with in order to attain satisfaction. This would result in favourable operating environment improvements. Suggested by Sulkowski et al., (2018), stakeholders should be informed and "shaken" in order to play a proactive role. Eventually, by combining the notion of stakeholder dynamism with the viewpoint of the value justifying stakeholders' activities, a contribution can be made frequently on stakeholder' management.
Salman, A., M. Jaafar, D. Mohamad, and S. Malik (2021). The development of ecotourism on Penang Hill is utilising a multi-stakeholder method for achieving environmental sustainability.
This report gives the views of prominent stakeholders regarding the long-term ecotourism sustainability of Penang Hill via the prism of their knowledge. It was observed that every major stakeholder was concerned with environmental protection. The environmental protection has witnessed an increase in stakeholder participation as a result of the government encouragement of being involved. On the contrary, the management authority on Penang Hill is the one who exercises authority and oversees the numerous stakeholders. Those who have an interest in Penang Hill are generally pleased with the management's efforts to protect the environment and preserve the area's culture. In line with the findings, stakeholders are motivated not just to protect the environment, but also to preserve the local culture. However, there is a limitation to the study, which is the lack of experience in the operation of the ecotourism sector in the Penang Hill region. This is a limitation of the investigation. It is feasible to advise that the necessary parties become aware of specific facts throughout achieving ecotourism and sustainability on Penang Hill over the long run.
Likewise, suggested by Harilal & Tichaawa, (2018), the objective of the study is to ensure that tourism is recognised as a long-term path to economic growth. Nevertheless, proper planning and administration are necessary for tourism's position as a development stakeholder.
Cameroon is an example of a society that stands to gain substantially from tourism, but only if the industry's goals and tactics are related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, and if they are well-planned and implemented. The study, which focuses on the financial aspects of tourism in Cameroon, has a limitation. Finally, the government sector in Cameroon must accept the ideas for economic growth.
3. Research Methodology
A qualitative case study method will be utilized in this study. Therefore, primary data consists of interviews, as well as secondary data including document review and fieldwork visits.
Sebele (2020), recommended that a sample size of six to twelve people is all that is necessary for conducting interviews for data collection. It is because in-depth data collection yields more exhaustive information. Small samples are ideal for homogenous samples and fieldwork perspectives. Furthermore, to determine whether or not the data are reliable, this research will make use of thematic analysis with multiple data sources of triangulation. The scope of the study will consist of the ecotourism sector in Perlis, Malaysia.
4. Conclusion
This study proposed ecotourism as an intersection of engagement between stakeholders and governance practices for long-term sustainability in Perlis. Furthermore, this study has three elements (stakeholder collaboration and governance practices) and each element has its theoretical based to support research objectives. Moreover, the involvement of local tour operators would be essential to confirm the suitability of the issues that have been reviewed.
Acknowledgements
This research behind it would not have been possible without the exceptional support of Mr.
Ariffin bin Baharom (Supervisor of Snake and Reptile Park) from Perlis State Economic Development Corporation and Mr. Muhamad Afandi bin Zakaria (Manager of State Park Forest) from Forestry Department of Perlis. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and exacting attention to detail have been an inspiration and kept my work on track from my first encounter with the them to the final draft of this paper.
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