Aesthetic experience in a forest can typically be associated with attractive forest scenery that gives people a sense of visual pleasure. Characterized as a visual product based on people’s reactions towards various combinations of landscape settings, features, and objects, this type of natural visual pleasure may benefit people’s well-being, promotes natural and cultural heritage preservation, and encourages the growth of the eco-tourism industry. While most research on forest aesthetics focuses on non-urban settings, this study examines aesthetics in the context of urban forests. This study aims to systematically review landscape aesthetic assessment studies to propose a model for urban forests. We conducted a systematic review of research articles published from 2014 to 2020 by using three research journal databases, Science Direct, Scopus, and MDPI. In total, 55 research articles were identified and qualified for review based on the screening requirements. An additional 26 research articles were also included by using the snowball method to provide better understanding and outcomes for the study. The results were organized into these categories: definitions, benefits, philosophies, approaches, and variables for the aesthetic quality assessment in urban forest areas. In addition, we also found that aesthetic quality in urban forests is highly influenced by visual composition, visual sense, and visual conditions, which have also been proven to be important parts of forest functions and values that could contribute towards the preservation of urban green spaces.
Destination image area have been studied in over than three decades and have contributed to the management and marketing purposes in many tourism field. Sixty destination image journals beginning from 1974 to 2008 were collected in order to summarise and provide a useful overview to destination image researchers specifically and tourism researchers generally.
While many outdoor educators are confident their residential outdoor education (ROE) programs improve participants' environmental attitudes, research findings are inconclusive. This study seeks to examine the effects of a Malaysian university ROE camp on environmental attitudes. A pre and post test approach with non equivalent control group design was utilized among 176 first year undergraduate students. A modified version of CHEAKS and open ended questionnaire were used to gather data from pre and post-tests. Results from ANCOVA procedures suggested that the camp had positively improved the experimental group's environmental attitudes. Issues of bridging ROE learning outcomes into daily practices are addressed, and a framework for future practice and research is suggested.
Article HistoryEcotourism has been identified by the Malaysian government in its newly introduced National Key Economic Area as an important niche area, in which ecotourism would be used to differentiate Malaysia from other competing destinations in the region. Conventionally, ecotourism products are developed based on the existing cultural and natural attractions. In Malaysia, recreational forest have the potential to be developed and marketed as ecotourism destinations since these forests are endowed with many attributes of tourism attractions, including beautiful scenery, fresh-flowing rivers, waterfalls as well as diverse flora and fauna. There are currently a total of 124 recreational forests in Peninsular Malaysia which has received visitations by mostly local visitors and only a handful of foreigners. Thus, the principal purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relative importance of existing attributes in attracting foreign tourist to visit recreational forests. Several factors are noted as having the potential to influence future visits to the recreational forest. These factors include the vast diversity of natural resources, proximity to major cities where captured tourism markets are situated and the availability of facilities.
Contribution/ Originality:This study is one of the very few studies which have investigated the Bukit Nanas recreational forest as an ecotourism destination. Also known as the KL Forest Eco-Park, it consist a small patch of tropical lowland rainforest in the middle of a city center that is accessible to foreigners and city dwellers to visit. This study documented that despite a robust surrounding development, Bukit Nanas is able to survive and preserve as the only virgin tropical forest available in the Kuala Lumpur. Therefore, all visitors" should appreciate and help to sustain this forest for the future.
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