Exploring Island Destination Competitiveness of Langkawi and Jeju UNESCO Global Geopark: Assessment from International Tourists and Tourism Practitioners

Abstract

ABSTRACT Geopark has exceptionally touristic values and now becoming an important geotourism attraction. However, geopark competitiveness is largely absent in geopark studies. The present study explores the competitive attributes of two UNESCO Global Geoparks in Asia namely Langkawi and Jeju based on the perspectives of international tourists and tourism practitioners. The mixed method study first used survey by measuring on seven dimensions namely nature & environment, man-made attraction, basic infrastructure, tourism infrastructure, culture & traditions, people's hospitality and safety & security. Samples include 256 and 286 international tourists to Jeju and Langkawi respectively. In-depth interviews were carried out with the tourism practitioners to compare on the competitive attributes of the islands. Using an Importance-Performance Analysis, thematic analysis and Joint Display, results underscore multi-faceted dimensions of tourism competitiveness of the two islands. This study advances the methodological approach in measuring destination competitiveness by integrating the perspectives of both tourists and tourism practitioners.