Author

  • Syerina Azlin Md Nasir

    • Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Kelantan Kota Bharu Campus, Kelantan, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • An Nur Nabila Ismail

    • Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Kelantan Kota Bharu Campus, Kelantan, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • Wan Marhaini Wan Omar

    • Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Kelantan Kota Bharu Campus, Kelantan, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • Dana Anak Badang

    • Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains Sarawak, 93712 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

  • Razaidi Shah A Kadir

    • Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains Sarawak, 93712 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
    • Malaysia

Abstract

Stong Geopark is a prominent natural attraction site in Kelantan, characterized by its rich biodiversity and variety of plant and animal species, catering to diverse visitor interests such as wildlife enthusiasts, explorers, and tourists. Geoguides play a vital role in helping visitors comprehend the significance of the geopark's geological features, the interconnectedness of the ecosystem, and the knowledge of indigenous communities. However, the tourism industry faces challenges in meeting the requirements for various forms of tourism services, including geoguiding. This study aims to profile the geo guides at Stong Geopark and better understand their areas of expertise. The research employs a quantitative approach, surveying 39 geoguides, to provide a comprehensive profile encompassing their age, English proficiency, income distribution, tour frequency, and identified areas of expertise. The findings reveal three distinct clusters of geoguides' areas of expertise: Cluster 1 - Nature and Adventure, Cluster 2 - Nature, and Cluster 3 - Adventure. The study also highlights the need for the majority of geo guides to receive additional training in English communication skills and continuous professional development courses. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the profiles of geoguides at Stong Geopark, emphasizing the importance of supporting and developing local geoguides' expertise to enhance the effectiveness of geopark management and visitor satisfaction. Furthermore, the study provides a spatial understanding of Stong Geopark by highlighting the locations of active geo guides about the distribution of geosites. This offers a comprehensive overview of the geopark's geography. The findings can inform policymakers, tourism authorities, and geopark management in developing targeted strategies for capacity building and professionalization of geo guides, ultimately contributing to the sustainable development of Stong Geopark as a thriving ecotourism destination.

Keywords

References

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How to Cite

Md Nasir, S. A., Ismail, A. N. N., Wan Omar, W. M., Anak Badang, D., & A Kadir, R. S. (2024). Profiling Geoguides at Stong Geopark: Enhancing Local Expertise for Sustainable Ecotourism. Information Management and Business Review, 16(3(I)S), 1012-1024. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v16i3(I)S.3985

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Copyright (c) 2024 Syerina Azlin Md Nasir, An Nur Nabila Ismail, Wan Marhaini Wan Omar, Dana Anak Badang, Razaidi Shah A Kadir (Author)

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Published in

Vol. 16 No. 3(I)S (2024) Supply Chain Sustainability, Smart HRM & Inclusive Education View issue contents

Published

2024-10-07

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