A System Dynamics Model to Evaluating Ecotourism Sustainability at Tasik Kenyir, Malaysia

Abstract

The sustainability of ecotourism is the primary concern for the tourism industry. However, sustainability of ecotourism is unresolved issue, in terms of deep analytical for integrated simulation, material-energy flow, and the trends of the process generating constricting ecological and economical positive–negative impacts. In this study, a system dynamic model is developed based on the community's socio-cultural and economic factors, biodiversity, and tourism parameters for sustainable ecotourism of Tasik Kenyir were collected and evaluated. Data on wildlife was extracted from the management authorities. The analysis revealed that the variance portrayed in socio-cultural and economic aspects among the communities is influenced by ecotourism development, and positive contribution of conservation activities, local support for conservation and ecotourism, and upon the distribution of wildlife around Tasik Kenyir. This study contributes towards comprehending the natural resource of the community–ecotourism inter-relationship, besides bridging the knowledge gap that impedes the initiatives taken for biodiversity conservation.