Responsible tourism system dynamic planning model for rural area

Rural Tourism has the potential to contribute significantly to the economic development of Malaysia. However, like other forms of tourism, sustainability is its main problem. Responsible Tourism (RT) is a new movement claims that could enhance sustainability in Malaysia tourism industry. A dynamic simulation model has been developed to assist decision makers in RT development. Lundu is chosen as a destination in structuring the causal loop diagram to help understand the dynamic relationship between environment, tourism and local population. A simulation model is designed using mathematical equations in the causal loop diagram. In this model, several scenarios were used to analyze the data obtained and results generated were being analysed. Validation of the model in usability is done by a few tourism research officers. Key indicators were refined to improve the effectiveness and consistency. This study shows that system dynamic modelling is an effective and powerful tool to help understand the complex tourism system by presenting a comprehensive picture. It is hoped that this model will help policy makers in the decision making to achieve desirable outcomes.