A study of residents’ attitudes and support for health tourism development in Sarawak

This thesis aims to investigate residents’ attitudes toward Health Tourism in Sarawak and their perceived impacts of such development with significantly influenced their level of support for its implementation. Attitudes and Perceptions-Related studies of local residents towards tourism development have often been done by previous researchers. Similarly, studies involving health tourism from a variety of perspectives, is gaining increasing attention. One component of the study being conducted was based on the local residents’ perceived impacts as a result of such development and implementation. Whether it has any potential significant positive or negative impacts on the residents; two most common theories being used were the Stakeholders and Social Exchange Theories. Past studies have indicated that residents’ attitudes have significant effects on Tourism or Health Tourism (HT) development. The results and findings of this study indicate that the local residents’ perceived positive and negative impacts of HT development were statistically significant which influenced the level of their support for such development. Proper management of stakeholders involved, particularly the level of their involvement in planning and decision-making (within the scope of their involvement) may lead to sustainability of HT development, as well as realizing Sarawak’s potential as a preferred HT destination in the region