Peluang dan potensi Hutan Lipur Sungai Sedim sebagai produk eko pelancongan di Malaysia (Potential and opportunities of Sungai Sedim Amenities Forest as ecotourism products in Malaysia)

Roslizawati Che Aziz, Nor Dalila Marican, Suriati Hamzah

Abstract


Kekuatan pelancongan Malaysia bukan sahaja terletak pada produk eko pelancongan malah destinasi yang ditawarkan juga murah, selamat dan mudah untuk dikunjungi. Malaysia mempunyai banyak tempat-tempat menarik bagi segmen eko pelancongan yang semakin di minati bukan sahaja di kalangan pelancong dalam negara malah juga dari luar negara yang ingin melihat keindahan alam sekitar serta menenangkan diri dari kesibukan kota. Produk eko pelancongan di Malaysia bukan sahaja di lihat sebagai satu aktiviti lasak tetapi juga sebagai pemangkin kepada kelestarian alam semulajadi. Hutan Lipur Sungai Sedim (HLSS), merupakan antara destinasi paling popular di daerah Kulim, Kedah yang mana menjadi lokasi kajian. Pemilihan HLSS adalah kerana ciri-ciri dan sumbangan masa depannya kepada semua pihak di kawasan berdekatan selain telah di angkat sebagai salah satu “LIMA destinasi pilihan di Asia Fasifik”. Justeru, kajian ini membincangkan tentang peluang dan potensi HLSS sebagai salah satu produk eko pelancongan terkenal di serata dunia. Pendekatan kajian secara kualitatif telah digunakan dengan penglibatan seramai 59 orang responden. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa HLSS berpotensi diiktiraf sebagai salah sebuah tarikan destinasi eko pelancongan terbaik di Malaysia di mana pelbagai keistimewaan seperti flora dan fauna, air terjun, Tree Top Walk, sukan air lasak dan sebagainya tersedia buat semua pelancong. Peluang diiktiraf sebagai produk eko pelancongan terunggul di Malaysia amat luas dengan menyediakan produk berfokus (niche-market), program inap desa (home-stay), pembangunan kemudahan dan infrastruktur serta pembangunan keusahawanan kecil dan sederhana.

Kata kunci: Hutan Lipur Sungai Sedim, eko pelancongan, pembangunan luar bandar, pelancongan lasak

The strength of Malaysia's tourism is not only in eco-tourism products but also the destinations offered which are cheap, safe and easy to visit. Malaysia has many interesting places for the growing eco-tourism segment not only among domestic consumers but also from overseas especially for those who want to see the beauty of the environment and to relax from the bustle of the city. Ecotourism products in Malaysia are not only seen as an activity but also as a catalyst for the sustainability of nature. Hutan Lipur Sungai Sedim (HLSS), one of the most popular destinations in Kulim district, Kedah, is the study area. The selection of HLSS is due to its features and future assistance to all nearby areas which has been recognized as one of the "FIVE preferred destinations in Asia Pacific". Thus, this study attempts to discover the opportunities and potential of HLSS as one of the most popular ecotourism products worldwide. Qualitative approach has been used in this study with the involvement of 59 respondents. The results show that HLSS has potential to be recognized as one of the best ecotourism destinations in Malaysia with various privileges such as flora and fauna, waterfalls, Tree Top Walk, rugged air sports and the like are available to everyone. Opportunities are recognized as Malaysia's leading ecotourism products by providing niche-market products, home-stay programs, infrastructure development and development as well as small and medium-sized entrepreneurship development.

Keywords: Hutan Lipur Sungai Sedim, eco tourism, rural development, adventure tourism


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