ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY, vol.26, no.1, pp.319-333, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Community-based ecotourism enables community participation to achieve effective sustainable management while also fostering environmental well-being and community development. Fraser's Hill is a well-known ecotourism travel destination located in the Pahang state highlands in Malaysia. This study aims to examine the impact of development on the community's quality of life living in the vicinity of Fraser's Hill and contribute to the continuous move towards sustainable ecotourism. This study utilises the descriptive analysis approach to analysis to find the basic static value. A total of 60 respondents, including residents and guests in the area, were randomly chosen to collect data by the structured interview method. Positive and negative experiences were identified from an analysis of the expressive dimensions of the respondents. The study's findings demonstrate that several development accomplishments have decreased the fragile ecosystem to a specific degree. Moreover, there is an absence of community well-being in ecotourism exercises in the Fraser's Hill area. Most importantly, Fraser's Hill's development is appropriate; in any case, the community's understanding of the development is minimal. Holistic endeavours ought to be made for the community's well-being to share in the activities related to ecotourism in this highland location. This study will assist policymakers in three ways: to expand environmental understanding for sustainable development, to motivate the local community in community-based ecotourism, and to increase economic, social, and cultural benefits among inhabitants. These benefits encourage people in the community to get involved with community-based ecotourism, which helps both tourists and locals keep the environment safe and develop the local economy.