GIS-Based Multicriteria Evaluation Approach in Planning Tourism Development Sites in Environmentally Sensitive Areas

School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Penang, Malaysia

Phone: 604-6533858, Fax: 6046563707 E-mail: narimah@usm.my

Abstract

Multicriteria evaluation approach has become useful mechanism in selecting choice possibilities based on number of alternatives. This approach has become useful for planners and engineers especially when dealing with allocating suitable sites for tourism development, which has often being undertaken within environmentally sensitive areas. Taking Langkawi Island, which has pristine natural resources, as example, this study demonstrates the usage of GIS-based multicriteria evaluation approach in identifying environmentally sensitive areas to be protected and conserved in planning for tourism development. Criteria used for determining ESA included coastline, topography, natural resources and forest, and tourism sites. Soft-information gathered through interviews with 3 different stakeholders/experts namely engineer, environmental officer and planner, to calculate weights for each criteria mentioned above. The study found that new built-up area shall only be confined within existing urban area namely Kuah area in order to ensure ESA and tourism sites to be protected and conserved. GIS-based MCE approach provides systematic mechanism where soft information can also contribute towards planning for tourism development as well as safeguarding the environment.