Local capability in actualizing Development Planning: The case of Malay operators of accommodation premises in Kelantan

Sustainable development of coastal tourism has a lot to do with the compliance of operators with professional and scientific guidelines issued by recognized authorities. Development of coastal accommodation premises has proceeded rapidly in Malaysia’s state of Kelantan in the early 2000s to the present. Various types of accommodation including small scale and medium-sized premises were built, mainly by Kelantan Malays. The Federal Town Country Planning Department has issued definitive guidelines in the development of such coastal tourism. The critical questions now arise are whether and to what do premise operators actually comply with the guidelines? This paper examined the nature of physical development - buildings, infrastructure and open space - which had been developed by the entrepreneurs in Kelantan. A field study was conducted by systematic and in-depth interviewing of the operation teams of 16 selected accommodation premises and the Local OSC Authority, and through field observations of the premises. It was found that the premise entrepreneurs did demonstrate their capability to comply with the physical development guidelines and criteria established by the governing authorities in developing and operating their premises.