Stakeholder attitudes and responses to vistor vandalism: a comparative view from South East Asia

There has been limited research in developing a sustainable approach to tourism based on stakeholder needs and interests, particularly in South East Asia. The study thus considers stakeholder perspectives in managing visitor vandalism of attractions in two South-East Asian locations, Singapore and Bangkok. The qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews to gain the perspectives of site managers and government officials responsible for the day-today management and operations at twenty-two visitor attractions in Singapore and Bangkok. Interviews were analysed using Leximancer text analysis software (4.0 edition) to create a concept map to provide meaning and insight to stakeholders' views. The study found that the views of stakeholders varied more in Singapore regarding the seriousness of property damage, although all property damage was considered serious when it concerned visitor safety. By contrast, all stakeholder groups in Bangkok regarded vandalism as serious due to its negative impact on tourism. Recommendations arising from stakeholder responses to property damage included greater community engagement to prevent property damage