Issues and Challenges of Smart Tourism in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Ab Rahman, Syakir Amir, Dura, Nur'Hidayah
• Other Authors: Johari, Mohd Hasrul Yushairi
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: FPHP Tourism Press, Faculty Hotel & Tourism Management, UiTM Melaka 2021
• Subjects: BPG80 Islam and tourism. Sustainable tourism; G Geography (General); G156.5.S87 Sustainable tourism; H Social Sciences (General); HT101 Urban groups. The city. Urban sociology; HT241 Urban ecology. Sustainable urban development; NA9080 Urban planners
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/92120/1/92120_Issues%20and%20Challenges%20of%20Smart%20Tourism%20in%20Malaysia.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/92120/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

To date, the pandemic has affected industries worldwide, alongside the advancement of technology and the digital shift in the tourism industry, which has led Malaysia to embrace a new paradigm in its tourism approach – Smart Tourism. The purpose of this study is to identify the issues and challenges in implement ing the smart tourism concept in Malaysia. 110 respondents, selected among domestic and inbound tourists, were recruited for the study using a questionnaire survey and simple random sampling. The measurement was carried out using cross-tabulation analysis. Low proficiency in technology among tourists, financial barriers in providing digital facilities and inadequate digital infrastructure on the tourism supply side are among the main findings of the study. Local governments, tourism businesses and related tourism agencies should tackle the challenges that are currently neglected, particularly on the demand-side, to practically implement smart tourism agendas.