Sustainable Agrotourism Curating by Conferring Community Involvement in Tanah Rata, , .

Ati Rosemary Mohd Ariffin* and Athirah Mohd Irwan Yen

Centre for Building, Construction and Tropical Architecture (BuCTA), Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603, , Malaysia.

* [email protected]

The highest number of tourists’ arrivals recorded in Cameron Highlands was 728, 121 people. In 2014, the number declined by 30% due to landslide events. The main question for this paper is what can be implemented into the tourism strategic planning that may benefit local communities and promote sustainable tourism development in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands. The lack of sustainable practice has caused the highlands to degrade and the incentives for agriculture increases in parallel with unequal benefits for locals. There are two key socio economic sustainable tourism concepts which are; community involvement in decision-making and community involvement in tourism benefits sharing being proposed in this paper. Four sets of interview questionnaires were formulated based on 4 components of respondents. Based on the results, this research highlighted that the decision-making process are to be made jointly with the government and local authority in consultation with the community representative. Amongst the recommendations is fair-trade scheme of equity in payment is for locals to benefit off tourism businesses involved in agriculture to protect their working and living environment and gain control over their future. The success of the two concepts requires commitment from all parties.

Keywords: community involvement, sustainable tourism, tourism benefits, fair-trade, Cameron Highlands

1. INTRODUCTION

Tourism is known to be one of largest industries The tourism industry in Malaysia is to date, indirectly and unknowingly tourism is a experiencing a rapid economic growth over the contributing factor towards issues of global past five decades (Borji, 2015) as seen in Figure climate changes, loss of biodiversity, cultural 1. The country received 7.5 million tourist diversity, deforestation and migration of locals. arrivals in 1995, the number rose up to 10.2 Gilpin (2009) emphasised on the four important million in 2000 and has jumped to 26.8 million points in developing tourism. Firstly, virtual in 2016. The attractions of natural sightseeing peace amongst locals and travelling tourists and and activities are seen as the major pull that degrees of economic development. Second, brings a significant growth to the tourism although tourism possesses the capacity of development in Malaysia and is growing economic benefits, it may lead to harm if it is steadily for more than a decade benefitting the not being carefully planned. Third, this is where locals directly and indirectly (Isa, 2015). In the benefits of tourism are carefully curated with case of Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, respect to society, cultural traditions and known for its forest reserves and plantations, environment. Fourth, tourism development has the consideration of conservation is vital in to be in conjunction with the national visions preserving Cameron Highlands as one of the and strategy and is supported by related highlands tourist destinations with minimal authorities and board committees. In regard to impacts. This can be seen through the macro the points highlighted, tourism provides and micro development as described in the contribution in the forms of macro and micro following sub topics. economic development (Bhuiyan, Siwar & Ismail, 2013).

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Figure 1: Number of tourists’ arrivals of some less developed countries 1995-2000 (WTO Tourism Market Trends in Tearfund 2002, 19). Source: Journal of the Economic Impacts of Fair Trade in Tourism by Krause (2012).

2. LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Macro Development of Sustainable Tourism Since the mid-1990s, the concept of sustainable tourism appeals as a prior objective in the At macro level of economic development, global tourism sector (Weaver, 2014). Back in tourism acts as the catalyst in terms of 1997, the National Ecotourism Plan was created generating revenues, equity in payment, in accordance with Malaysia's initiative based commodity cost and contribution in the gross on the ecotourism definition announced by the domestic production (GDP) (Bhuiyan, Siwar & World Conservation Union (IUCN) (Hitchner, Ismail, 2013). Figure 2 shows a table of tourism 2009). development’s impacts based on economic aspects.

Figure 2: Tourism Development’s impact on Economic Aspects. Source: The Indigenous Community’s Perception of Tourism Development in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia (2010).

The first point highlighted on revenue which labelling of fair trade products, thus, they are is the financial income as well as receipts and still in the midst of developing phase (Krause, earnings of a certain organisation (Investopedia, 2012). Fair trade refers to goods or products at 2003). It describes how revenue generation is better prices in a decent working environment done by promoting tourism practices. accompanied by fair trade terms for all farmers Moreover, equity in payment is related to fair and workers (Fairtrade Foundation, 2016). trade which is linked to commodities. When the Fairtrade Foundation (2016) based in UK fair-trade mark first emerged, it has been emphasised the concept of supporting the known widely in various sectors and known to communities’ development involved in farming be appreciated (Krause, 2012). As stated by protect their working and living environment Krause (2012), Tearfund (2002) conducted and gain control over their future to improve researches that shown local goods produced in a their living conditions in the thriving industry. producer-friendly process attract consumers that Fair trade derives from two developments as are willing to pay higher. This means that the mentioned by Bowen (2001, 35) which are – locals or host country will gain more benefits. professionalisation in the movement and strong Fair trade in tourism has no standards or dimensions (Krause, 2012). For instance,

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Finland has shown success in their fair-trade the impact it brings to the society, culture and products of 30% sales increment, one of it environment. being coffee production. In relations to equity, this portrays how important professionalisation Society aspects of tourism revolve around and commitment is when it comes to fair trade. the local community. In order for tourism to With the fair-trade awareness to date, Malaysia provide stability through community agriculture or agro tourism should implement involvement, there are three main these schemes. Hence, an ongoing effort of constituencies' actions that can be engaged. As professionalisation in the movement needs to be mentioned by Honey & Gilpin (2009), they are emphasised to avoid economic imbalance and host communities, host governments and environmental loss in Cameron Highlands. foreign stakeholders.

As argued by Abidin (1999), the National On sustainable tourism curating through Ecotourism Plan guidelines for Malaysia do not community involvement, this study shall focus portray the specific mechanisms in monitoring on ways to engage the host communities. Host and evaluating the future management for community is a fundamental component in sustainable tourism. "There are also no criteria tourism development (Lorton Consulting, and indicators developed for sustainable 2011). The component consists of three key tourism management and biological diversity subject matters which are the tourist, the conservation in the protected areas of resource and the host. Cameron Highlands is Malaysia", said Abidin (1999). Due to the lack known for its nature tourism, and activities of criteria and indicator for sustainable tourism related to the natural possession there bring development, Malaysia has its fair share of impacts towards the host community. In this challenges to ensure development is compatible paper, the host community in Cameron with conservation of the protected areas. Based Highlands refers to the local community, Orang on what Hitchner (2009) highlighted in one of Asli and foreign workers. In order to partake her Journals of Ecotourism, study by Lim effectively for stability, tourism activities (1999) (discussed in Mohamed, 2002) should respect local culture and environment. discovered the issues faced by travel agencies As for the host governments, described by while advertising ecotourism: Honey & Gilpin (2009), their role is to establish national tourism strategies with robust laws to ● The agency is of 4 to 6 years old working provide protection over tourist sites and for the experience people who work in the tourism industry. Apart ● The eco-travelling tourist guides have no from that, host governments should address proper training and education; does not constraints and bottlenecks in tourism industry own proper license for areas that are to ensure that this sector is not being protected. undermined at local or national levels by ● Only 11.9% of travel agencies inform the overlapping departments. Lastly, host tourists regarding the purchase of banned governments should acquire creative marketing items. strategy of the tourism industry as it the ● Less than 46% of travel agencies are industry is getting competitive. unware of the local community ● 30.8% have no relations towards the Community involvement can be built government through skills, mastery and extensive ● 10 out of 15 travel agencies do not knowledge in a plantation, forestry and farming understand the concepts of ecotourism by the host community. The population of ● 80% of the activities are not associated Cameron Highlands based on the year 2000 with the social, cultural or environmental Census is 30, 495 and in the year 2010 Census aspect increased to 38, 471 data from Department of Statistics Malaysia (2010). The population 2.2 Micro Development of Sustainable includes the legal foreign workers and can be Tourism seen in Figure 3 (a). The migration of locals’ issue stems from the employment of foreign At the micro level of economic development, workers. Cameron Highlands have a strong the impetus of tourism stems from community indigenous people population. The Orang Asli involvement, income distribution, employment are of different ethnicity; they are Semai opportunities, carrying capacity and sustainable (96.7%), Semalai (1.1%) and Temiar (2.2%). regional developments (Bhuiyan, Siwar & Total of 44.4% of the Orang Asli are self- Ismail, 2013). The micro level focuses more on employed and others work in different sectors

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(Salleh, 2010). The remaining are mostly them receives less than RM500 monthly Malays and Chinese. The locals no longer find (Salleh, 2010). This results to the locals finding the income distribution of working in the better job opportunities at nearby cities causing agriculture sectors reasonable. The distribution an influx of foreign legal and illegal workers to range of income is between RM501-RM1500 Cameron Highland. for the 42% of the working class, and 38% of

Figure 3. (a): Total population by ethnic group (2010). Source: Population Distribution and Basic Demographic characteristics 2010, Department of Statistics, Malaysia (2016).

3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY development. They are the head departments of the local authority, planners, community This study will highlight the environmental representatives/village headman, non- constraints and limitations and suggest governmental organisations (NGO), engineers, solutions on how curation tourism development environmental managers and professionals of with strong community involvement through a tourism management and business expertise. suitable tourism programme may remedy and enhance the environment. 3.1 Site Observation

Through appropriate content curation, the Site observation is carried out through self-site tourism programme with community observation supported with desk-top research, involvement is to demonstrate how it can be image-based research and secondary data from one of the sustainable economic drive forces related organisations and other researchers. The with respect to the social and environmental site visit to Cameron Highlands is to study the aspects. The aim is to raise awareness on the existing condition of Tanah Rata and Cameron environmental impacts of a highland area and Highlands and observe the local environment educates the locals on nature-based tourism or and setting as a growing tourist attraction and agro based tourism and offer better pay to the destination area. locals of Cameron Highlands. The observation is to examine the impacts The sequence of the methodological stage is of tourism in terms of social, environmental and site observation, identify target group, economic aspects. Through site observation, the formulation of questionnaire and pilot test. questionnaires are formulated and prepared to Purposeful samplings was employed by also meet the expected outcomes out of each of selecting those involved or have acquired the research objective. knowledge in the field relating to tourism, tourism management, highlands, environmental **Next following page contains the research impact assessment and community methodological framework.

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3.2 Identify Target Group to be relevant to the study. Table 1 briefly The study is broken down into several fields to describes the expertise and expected outcome of select participants based on their knowledge each field. Subsequently to site observation and and characteristics. This sampling method is to pilot test, the questionnaires are improved based select professionals from different field to on the site condition and target group for the provide specific knowledge that are related and actual interview to be carried out. deemed

Table 1: Expertise & Expected outcome of the target group and field Field Expertise Expected Outcome Engineering Geo-technical engineering, This field is to gain an understanding on the Ecological engineering, Eco- physical conditions and acceptable changes of engineering and protection & an eco-sensitive highland area as well slope Environmental Impact suitability. assessment. Environmental Highland zonation, This field is to gain an understanding on the Environmental Impact environmental impact assessment of eco- Assessment, Environmental sensitive highland areas. Apart from that it is to Awareness, Eco-tourism, understand the environmental awareness and Environmental Law & steps of environmental management and Management. relations towards eco-tourism. Local Department of Health & This field is to gain an understanding on the Authority Municipal Services, Landscape local planning, municipal services, landscape & Environmental Cases. and environmental cases in conjunction with the national visions and strategies. Planning Town & Country Planning, This field is to gain an understanding on local Tourism planning and impacts planning in conjunction with Department of management. Environment (DOE) and Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) Community Village headman, Community This field is to gain an understanding on the Representative interest. interests of the community with respect to social, environmental and economic aspects. Tourism Tourism management and This field is to understand tourism management Management business, tourism management and marketing. It is to show how community- economics & marketing. based tourism can be one of the economic drive forces. Non- Technical assistance & training, This field is to gain an understanding on a governmental facilitate communication for community-based organization and their Organisation local community initiatives on the social, economic and (NGO) environmental aspects. It is also to identify their views on community-based tourism and eco-tourism management.

3.3 Respondents The interviews for all four components are open-ended questionnaires and designed based The respondents comprised of three (2) on the references of related expertise to meet engineers, one (1) environmental managers, one their characteristics, knowledge and practical (1) community representative to represent interests. Different sets of questionnaires are Tanah Rata, one (1) to two (2) from non- prepared based on their expertise, however, governmental organisation representing questions regarding community involvement, Cameron Highlands, two (2) government development and community interests were officers from the local authority, one (1) to two repeated in all four components to get a firm (2) planners and one (1) professional from the understanding of the views on tourism as well tourism management field. as the community in Tanah Rata and Cameron Highlands in general. Questions regarding

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environmental issues and awareness are also ii) Environmental education program is repeated and sampled in all four components to part of the ecotourism package; record and analyse their opinions of the iii) Livelihood must benefit more the ongoing trends. local community than outside entrepreneurs; Insufficient time in data collection and iv) The local government supports the securing interviews were the main constraints; ecotourism project through hence restrictions was to only 1-3 interviews ordinances and resolutions; and per field study to establish substantial data. v) The Management Board (community-based) and appropriate 3.4 Approach government agencies, support the project through strict enforcement of A qualitative approach is selected in order to environmental laws; further understand the responses from each vi) Experience and product management participant based on the formulation of should follow principles and questionnaire. The questionnaires are based on practices associated with ecological, the references of key documents which are socio-cultural and economic Standards of Ecotourism by Weaver & Lawton sustainability. (2007), Cameron Highlands District Council Local Plan 2003-2015 (2015) and the 4. RESULTS & FINDINGS Guidelines for Development of Resort and The findings are based on the outcome of the Hotel Facilities in Hill Station by Department interview process and sessions held with of Environment December 2009 (DOE) (2009). selected participants divided into four components. The key themes of each The Standards of Ecotourism by Weaver & component are described as the followings: - Lawton (2007) also stated the five important criteria that are needed to be implemented to  Component 1: Interview with the Local ensure sustainability in tourism. Standards of Authority Ecotourism (Weaver & Lawton, 2007):  Long-term Plan for Community Engagement and Involvement 1) Protection of the Ecosystem  Resources and Budgets for Suitable i) Maintenance of the ecosystem where Tourism Programme the ecotourism attraction is located ii) Protection and maintenance of  Component 2: Interview with the Design wildlife especially endangered Professionals species  Issues and Impacts of Cameron iii) Wildlife live harmoniously with Highlands’ Environmental Degradation people  Limitations of Tourism Development in Cameron Highlands 2) Maintenance of the physico-chemical  Goals of Community-based Tourism conditions of the area Programm Component 3: Interview with i) Maintenance of the quality of fresh Community Representative water and marine resources  Issues and Impacts of Tourism to the ii) No wastes overflow and Community contamination of environment  Suitable Tourism Programme with (water, soil & air) Community Involvement  Component 4: Interview with the Non- 3) Conservation of local culture and history Governmental Organisation (NGO) i) Culture of locality is maintained  Suitable Tourism Programme with ii) Historical structures are maintained Community Involvement as part of cultural heritage  Resources and Budgets for Suitable Tourism Programme 4) Infrastructures and signboards blend with  Implementation of Community-based the environment Tourism in terms of Social, Economic 5) Sustainability and Environmental Aspects i) Maintenance of Carrying Capacity of the environment; Component 1: Interview with The Local Authority

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Long-Term Plan for Community Engagement In terms of capital, we have our vote of and Involvement development fund. For instance, an amount of RM100,000 of development fund R1 described the community involvement involving community and other programme from a landscape perspective while departments is to ensure the programme R2 described the community, involvement runs smoothly. Based on the Local Agenda based on the health and municipality (LA21), the amount is given by the Ministry perspective. Both respondents are focused more of Local Government and Housing. We can on long-term plan with programmes being held either obtain the resources or capital from annually the state depending on the State Secretary Office or funds from NGO and the community. In order to gather the A target is set based on guidelines from funding, we go through the Pahang State ILAM with no policy involved. If there are Secretary Office and from there on, we any policy, it is under Cameron Highlands outline a suitable tourism programme District Council. It is long term not only based on their suggestions. But for our involving Cameron Highlands District involvement, Cameron Highlands District Council, but also Cameron Highlands Council will decide whether it is suitable to District and Land Office, Department of be implemented depending on current Environment Cameron Highland and conditions and expected community Department of Agriculture. Every year, a involvement. meeting is held with all of these departments to form a team and design a (Respondent 1) programme. The tree planting programme involving the community is held annually. When it comes to tourism programme for (Respondent 1) community involvement, it is created by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia The Resident Representative Office holds (MOTAC) based on two teams from the the role as our housing ministry with 20 Headquarters in Putrajaya and the one in resident representative members in Pahang. But mostly, the tourism Cameron Highlands. At the moment, Tanah programmes for Cameron Highlands are Rata, and Kampung Raja is led carried out by the Ministry of Tourism and by one (1) resident representative member. Culture (MOTAC) from the branch here in Community involvement programme that Pahang itself. The programmes’ standard has been implemented by the Resident is that it is supported by the Ministry of Representative Office is in the Taman Sedia Local Government and Housing, in terms Village led by one resident representative budget and resources. For instance, we member. Before resident representative, the implemented an initiative of upgrading the special committee focused on the marketing public toilets here to appeal to the tourists for tourism purposes. Secondly, in Pahang and visitors. The areas affected are Ringlet overall, the Solid Waste Management and and Tanah Rata. A budget is given and the Public Cleansing Act of Act 673 under SW upgrading works are carried out. For the Corp implemented the ‘3R’ Programme community, we also have funds from which is a long-term plan held with the income tax to maintain and upgrade community. Ringlet and Tanah Rata. (Respondent 2) (Respondent 2)

Component 2: Interview with The Design Professionals Resources and Budgets for Suitable Tourism Programme Issues and Impacts of Cameron Highlands Environmental Degradation R1 described development fund as one of the resources to develop tourism programme while R3 described the issues faced by the local R2 described the funds from income tax as one communities in Cameron Highlands revolving of the resources. Based on the Local Agenda of around over-development. R5 felt similar due to LA 21, there is an amount provided by the land-clearing. Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

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The problems faced by the communities When it comes to limitations it includes revolve around over-development. Many questions like why tourists want to go to farms, jungles and hill slopes gave way in Cameron Highlands? Is it fresh air, food or the name of development. First, the flash produce, tea plantations or infrastructure. floods caused by soil erosion. For example, Or is it the tourism companies and tourist continuous heavy rain in October 2013 had themselves from local and overseas and caused mud flood in which also is it the space? Is Cameron Highlands took 3 people’s life. And then there is water able to handle the large 'tourist' crowd? pollution the water quality deterioration of (Respondent 4) the catchment areas whereby the main rivers and its tributaries caused by serious R5 described the limitations of environmental pollution of organic compounds and changes due to agricultural activities. siltation. Also, the indigenous people losing

their rice bowl from hunting and crops. Deforestation also may cause them to lose During the monsoon season in 2014, it was the opportunity to earn from eco-tourism recorded that the rainfall was 1000mm activities jungle walk guiding. And then equivalent to an annual rainfall. The soil is with all of these happening, there is of exposed to high content of water. At Kea course climate changes. Prolonged drought Farm, the slope was cut at a very steep also has caused much lower production in manner. This leads to the impacts of soil agriculture produce. Also, the loss of flora erosion and landslides. The land clearing & fauna where many plants and animals for agricultural activities and slope cutting lose their natural habitats. need to be controlled. Near Kuala Terla, (Respondent 3) there is a gabion wall at 60 feet of height. By law, you are not allowed to exceed 8 The slopes in Cameron Highlands are Class feet. (Respondent 5) 3 and Class 4. 80% of the areas here are categorised as sensitive. During monsoon season during October to March, we face soil erosion. This is also due to the impacts R7 described the limitations of traffic control. of development and land clearing issues. In While R8 described the climate change the Local Plan, the development areas are being reserved for 8%. We have 3% out of There is no control over traffic. The traffic 8%. There is forest encroachment reported. congestion at Tanah Rata gets worse during The climate change is bad. Even at night, holidays and weekends. We had a the temperature goes down to 26% and it suggestion of providing shuttle busses with gets hot and humid at times. The formation a parking facility in the town. But the local of clouds is less and we are exposed to sun. communities were against it. We also The urban heat generated from or Alor proposed cable car, but the local Setar rises up to the atmosphere and communities were against it also. Due to eventually Cameron Highlands receives the reason being nobody would come visit more heat. If there are more clouds, it's their stores or stalls located at the edges of cooler. Development however is still the roadsides and worried their source of ongoing due to it being in demand. income would decrease. (Respondent 5) (Respondent 7)

If temperature increases, crops might not do so well. For instance, tea plantation Limitations of Tourism Development in produce can be an indicator. Is the tea Cameron Highlands produce getting a smaller output? Past temperature to current temperature plays R4 described the limitations in the form of an important role. Past records of attractions when visiting Cameron Highlands. landslides of what is changing in the past 10 to 20 years ago. (Respondent 8)

R7 described the limitations of traffic control. While R8 described the climate change

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There is no control over traffic. The traffic Issues and Impacts of Tourism to the congestion at Tanah Rata gets worse during Community holidays and weekends. We had a suggestion of providing shuttle busses with a R8 described land clearing to be an impact parking facility in the town. But the local towards tourism and community. communities were against it. We also proposed cable car, but the local Cameron Highlands is not a tourism communities were against it also. Due to the district but an agricultural district. reason being nobody would come visit their However, Cameron Highlands is also not stores or stalls located at the edges of the supposed to be an agricultural district, this roadsides and worried their source of is due to the terms and conditions of land income would decrease. clearing for agricultural crops. We have (Respondent 7) the limit of what is suitable above 1000m sea level. Licensing is also an issue being If temperature increases, crops might not do handed out leading to illegal land clearing. so well. For instance, tea plantation We have already called for licensing to be produce can be an indicator. Is the tea halted back in 2008 for TOL. Most of our produce getting a smaller output? Past communities here depend on agricultural temperature to current temperature plays an production. The impacts are on them and important role. Past records of landslides of the people here don't know what the effects what is changing in the past 10 to 20 years are when land clearing happens. ago. (Respondent 8) (Respondent 8)

Goals of Sustainable Community-based Suitable Tourism Programme with Tourism Programme Community Involvement

R3 described the goal is to upraise the socio- R8 described the replanting of trees programme economic status of the community. R5 which was mentioned before by the local described the goal is create an awareness for the authority. He felt that the negative impacts of communities for a clean environment. media exaggerating the environmental issues affected the locals’ business here.

It is to bring up the socio-economic status of the community in attraction areas in the We do have campaign raising awareness highlands especially the indigenous people. and educating them the effects of land Community based programmes in tourism clearing, programme by Department of will bridge the gap between the rich and the Environment (DOE) such as replanting of poor. Homestay concept with local cultural trees programme. Now, it is being experiences are rarely being offered in controlled and no open burning. The media other countries. This will give tourists the also made an impact for the communities wide array of experience and options. This here. The number of tourist arrivals decline provides job opportunities and as issues are being exaggerated in the entrepreneurship to locals. Cottage industry media. It was during the school holidays supporting tourism. It helps the young where people cancelled bookings and it locals to be more productive and reduce affected the communities. crime. (Respondent 8) (Respondent 3)

We have campaigns of raising awareness Component 4: Interview with The Non- involving communities here with children Governmental Organisation (Ngo) and implement them in schools. Events such as gotong-royong to create a clean Resources for Suitable Tourism Programme environment for them and tourists. (Respondent 5) R9 described that by giving empowerment to them is important. R10 described that a certain Component 3: Interview with Community budget shall be provided by the local authority. Representative /Village Headman

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The most important type of resources is When you visit the habitats of flora and empowerment by the community of Orang fauna it should be undisturbed, that is Asli. This is because they know better of ecological tourism. When you go for that what they need and is best to let them kind of tourism, people want to know about handle it. After all, they have been looking the species. They are keen tourists to know after our forests for years and it is their the birds and flowers and they’re willing to place of living and issues do not arise pay. But not many, 1 or 2 people out of 20 because of them. The problem here is, our maybe, and if they want to see the local communities who are clearing forests community, they want the pristine as part of our profit. In terms of money, community. they do need it but very minimal and utilise (Respondent 10) their surroundings more. Give them power, give empowerment to them that is the best policy. Opinions of NGO on Tourism Programme or (Respondent 9). services with Community Involvement in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands When they open business to provide tourism services from food and beverage, R9 described that the agricultural industry accommodation and tour packages, but offering tourism products should benefit the how many are involved as service locals and allow them to have equity benefits. providers, are they locals? They’re outsiders and not the local communities. Even if we implement a programme that The local authority need to help by includes the Orang Asli community, the providing a certain budget for the locals to community there is actually a minority. The control, manage and maintain the current communities there are locals namely environment or any accommodation they the Chinese and Indians which are farmers provide for tourists. and the Malays which are either government (Respondent 10). servants or village workers. Whenever there is agricultural industry which has existed Implementation of Community-based Tourism long time ago, it is not something to in terms of Social, Economic & diminish. But the agricultural industry Environmental Aspects offering tourism services or product should also benefit the locals and allow them to R9 described that the implementation of have fair benefits. The TOL lands that are tourism programme with community being issued without control, we have involvement needs to be emphasised more on highlighted this. Slope exceeding 25% educational training for the locals. cannot be touched. (Respondent 9)

It is more towards educational programmes involving training. We think that the forest is R10 described similar traits when it comes to important and can be part of eco-tourism allowing the locals to fairly benefit from the but we do not have much left. Yes, land is a local produce. state matter so it is hard to control. When logging happens, the area becomes hollow When it first started, it was a holiday home and this affects the existing flora and fauna. or retreat. Tourism has been the main thing. (Respondent 9) Agriculture is tea plantation and vegetables and legumes are secondary. Nature based R10 described in terms of environmental tourism is visitation to the allowed nature aspect, forests for keen tourists can be visited areas in Cameron Highlands. Sometimes the but it should be undisturbed. tour companies do not understand the tourism they offer there. Eco-tourism is to see nature. In Cameron Highlands, it is agritourism for tea, nursery, vegetable plantations and more where it benefits the locals. All these plantations offer tourism or tourism product. (Respondent 10)

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Technical Challenges of developing a tourism tourists camp illegally and farmers too run programme with the host community at Tanah illegal farming. It’s because too many Rata, Cameron Highlands development and now impacting water catchment leading to mud flood. When R9 described how land status of TOL lands double and triple the population, water need to be enforced and its issuance needs to be outage and electrical outage become the controlled. issue because it’s not enough to sustain. The local tour operators are small because they I think technical challenges are more don’t have much budget. The big hotels here towards the land status such as TOL lands. are mostly outsiders. We do not see any community-based tourism activity here. This is because the (Respondent 10) communities in Cameron Highlands depend on the cultivation lands. Even if there are challenges, it goes back to the enforcement. 5. DISCUSSION For instance, during one of the flash flood cases, there is supposed to be a 10 meters’ A framework containing the principles in order setback on the left and right side of the river to manage protected areas such as Cameron reserve. There should not be any kind of Highlands is developed for policymakers and plantations or settlements there, but it has researchers in sustainable tourism or been cultivated. It was supposed to be a community-based tourism field to enable river reserve to control the flood, so the sustainable practices in tourism development. It technical challenges inclined more towards is based on the findings from interview sessions the enforcement and issuance of TOL lands. and the limits of acceptable change planning Even if there are traveling agencies of framework by Eagles & McCool (2002). tourism companies promoting Cameron Highlands and exposing the highlands and Principle 1: Objective for Suitable Sustainable its tourism activities, it has not been Tourism Management successful. This may be due to the developments or how the government or By setting achievable and progressive objective related parties channel their support and or objectives as an initiative towards the help to the locals and communities that will tourism management of protected forest areas be involved in Cameron Highlands in order and controlling the number of visitors. Mc Cool to make community-based tourism work. (2002) described that objectives are made in (Respondent 9) order to provide definitive statements towards the management. For instance, management of the highlands’ tourism products or highlands’ R10 described the challenges in terms of water tourism services of an eco-sensitive area. These and electrical outage due to the number of objectives can either be administrative policy or tourists. It needs to be managed accordingly or formal legislative statements (McCool, 2002). have the tourism services organised suitably. However, to produce an objective requires involvement from the government and local The issue there with tourism is like you have stakeholders to unanimously agree in order for a house and you have guests coming to your the objective or objectives to be developed. house. The community should have control in order to manage these tourists. So how is Principle 2: Temporal Tourism Environmental the community managing them? If the Impacts number is double the number of local community, it is not manageable. But how to There are a number of temporal impacts coming manage? By controlling the carrying from visitors or also known as spaces used and capacity. When tourists come, they are occupied by them which are discontinued looking for good service. But when it’s out during their visitation periods. These impacts of control, hygiene, cleanliness and quality from the visitors occur offsite and are often less is dropping. Problems like leaking, toilet visible from the public however, if it is left malfunction and becomes out of their unmanaged, it can contribute to long term control. Back then there was only 1 road, environmental loss. now they have 3 roads. Back then tourists were not as bad, but now it’s very crowded. Principle 3: Management of Electrical, Sewage, But budget is also a constraint. The Water & Waste environment is affected. Sometimes tourists camp illegally and farmers too run illegal 49 Journalfarming. of Design It’s becauseand Built too Environment, many development Special Issue 2017 Ariffin, A.R.M. & Yen, A.M.I and now impacting water catchment leading to mud flood. When double and triple the population, water outage and electrical outage become the issue because it’s not enough to sustain. The local tour operators Management issues when there is increase in The process requires commitments from local population or the number of people in Tanah authority, Non-Governmental Organisation Rata have simple technological solutions such (NGO), local communities and the local as, electrical and water supply, waste stakeholders. management, parking and sewage (McCool, 2002). d) How important is it that this decision/need to be filled? Principle 4: Setting A Limit in Tourism Empowerment to the community of Orang Asli Management or locals is important. This is because they know better of what they need and is best to let Setting limit policy is viewed as a potential them handle it. management action to control visitation and puts an emphasis in carrying capacity of the e) What is already being done? tourists’ arrivals (McCool, 2002). This The programme that has been implemented is in determines the limit of visitations in an eco- Taman Sedia Village, Cameron Highlands sensitive area. However, implementing limit based on the concept of homestay which is policies is a challenging task that includes being supported by the Resident Representative rationing techniques or allocation deemed to be Office (ROO) together with the local hosts. appropriate for it to be carried out in a certain area. 5.1 Community Involvement in Terms of Sharing of the Tourism Benefits Based on the Standards of Ecotourism by Weaver & Lawton (2007), in an eco-sensitive Fair-trade schemes of equity in payment are a area or any tourism activities related to the scheme that favours the local people to benefit natural surroundings and environment, in order off tourism businesses. The scheme is to to implement sustainability in tourism support the locals involved in agriculture to development, maintenance of carrying capacity protect their working and living environment needs to be carried out. and gain control over their future in tourism businesses. As described by Camp & Goodman Example: (2005), the issues of fair-trade may seem trivial ‘What the community needs assessment’ is when compared to other issues faced by the carried out by asking the questions as described indigenous community such as forced by Muegge (2016) in effective community relocation, language barrier, loss of traditional decision making where the local community is lands and lack of access to health and the host community. educational government services. There are financial challenges faced by the indigenous a) What is needed? community that they do not have control over. The current state of tourism in Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands remains as a tourist 5.2 Suitable Tourism Programme for attraction area. However, it does not hold any Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands attributes showing a solid or effective community involvement in tourism or traits of Community Tourism Programme 1: The community-based tourism which is needed in Homestay concept an eco-sensitive tourist attraction area. This helps to link the cultural heritage and b) How many have the need? conservation and introduce the sustainable rural Resources can be in various forms. For living in Cameron Highlands. This can be seen instance, homestay programme or eco-tourism as a tourism product offering tourism services tour guided by the community, the government with local hosts. The selected homes are can consider some of tax exemption on the refurbished to an extent where it is at a revenue to encourage tourism. As for presentable level for tourists to stay. The community-based tourism operated by families attached to the program shall be trained indigenous people, government shall provide with sanitation and hygiene knowledge, amenities such as build community halls, nutritional meal preparations, waste disposal upgrade amenities, acquire and maintain some and handling visitors or guests. By letting the equipment like generator sets in areas with no families be the host communities, community electricity. tourism will help to empower the families involved economically and exchange cultural c) Who are they? values amongst local hosts and tourists.

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Community Tourism Programme 2: Market Indigenous and Local Communities and Access for Emerging Local Tourism protected areas in developing Nations. Entrepreneurs Tourism and protected Areas: benefits Beyond Boundaries. R. B. a. P. F. J. Eagles, Local tour operators providing tourism services CAB International: 71. run and managed by the local communities can Foxlee, J. (2007). Key Principles and Directions provide market access for emerging local for tourism in protected areas: a Review of tourism entrepreneurs. They range from tour Existing Charters, Guidelines and packages, accommodation and travelling Declarations. Tourism and protected Areas: packages. It is best to allow the local benefits Beyond Boundaries. R. B. a. P. F. J. communities to provide the travelling and tour Eagles, CAB International: 44-70. package as they possess local culture and a George, C. (2000). Environmental Impact broader knowledge on Cameron Highlands. Prediction and Evaluation, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Community Tourism Programme 3: The visitors Gourdon, L. C. a. J. (2005). "Is the concept of experience sustainable tourism sustainable? Local festival and events can be held for annual Developing the Sustainable Tourism calendar to enhance visitors’ experience. Help Benchmarking Tool." 1-19. and support from local stakeholders and local Kasim, A. (2007). "Corporate authority to attract more tourists. Environmentalism in the hotel Sector: Evidence of Drivers and barriers in Penang, 6. CONCLUSION Malaysia." Journal of Sustainable Tourism 15(6): 680-699. Curation of tourism development with Mohamed, P. B. (2014). Is Sustainable Tourism community involvement in mind as the market and Oxymoron? Earth Matters. Mira. growth to benefit both locals and tourists’ Malaysia. travelling experience without deserting the Sebastian, A. (2015). Making the Case for social and environmental aspects is the key Sustainable Tourism. Earth Matters. L. C. concerns in this paper. There were a number of Lynn. Malaysia. key terms having the same definition or Sheng-Hshiung T., Y.-C. L., Jo-Hui L. (2005). meaning coming from different components "Evaluating ecotourism sustainability from when it comes to suitable tourism programme. the integrated perspective of resource, The key terms that are similar are; local community and tourism." Tourism residents invite tourists to discover local Management: 640-653. habitats or homestay with programmes that Toh P. S., A. H. B. P. B., Justin S., Ramzah D. provide job opportunities and entrepreneurship (2012). "Developing and promoting a to locals, protection of nature and low impact highland community livelihood for on environment and culture. sustainable tourism: The case of Kg. Bundutuhan, Ranau." Malaysia Journal of Tourism without a doubt appears to be vital Society and Space 8(5): 94-99. in the global economy (Honey & Gilpin, 2009). Ostheimer, S. (2013, June 27, 2013). "Cameron Tourism impacts the society, if not for the Highlands: Malaysia's enduring 'Little better. It helps to diversify the sociocultural England'. Retrieved April 4, 2016, 2016. background and promotes local Ramli, A. R. (2015). Malaysia wins big at the entrepreneurship. With thorough study, world travel awards Asia & Australasia community forums and careful planning, the gala ceremony. A. R. Ramli. Malaysia, sustainability of Cameron Highland can be Tourism Malaysia. achieved. Through curated tourism Fleischer, A. & A. Tchetchik (2005). "Does programmes, not only will the locals acquire rural tourism benefit from agriculture?" knowledge but will see the potential of local Tourism management 26(no. 4): 493. ventures. Alexander, J. (2006). Malaysia, Brunei & Singapore, Cadogan Guides; 1st edition REFERENCES (December 1, 2006). Atiyah, J. Southeast Asia, Rough Guides; 3rd Ali K., A. T., Sarvenaz H. (2011). The Edition edition (9 Sept. 2005). Reciprocal Effects of Architecture and Hall, C. M. (2000). Tourism Planning: Policies, Tourism: The Suitability Approach. Processes and Relationships. England, Clarke, K, J. Clark (2000). The Tourism Pearson Education Limited. Development Handbook. London, Cassell. Colin M. H., S. W. B. (2005). Nature-based Edwards, L. M. S. a. S. (2007). Tourism, Tourism in Peripheral Areas: Development

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52 Journal of Design and Built Environment, Special Issue 2017 Ariffin, A.R.M. & Yen, A.M.I