A Framework for Sustainable Tourism Planning in Johor Ramsar Sites, Malaysia : A Geographic Information System (GIS) Based Analytic Network Process (ANP) Approach

This study presents an approach based on an integrated use of GIS, ANP and Water Quality Index (WQI) for sustainable tourism planning in a wetland environment (Ramsar site). ANP will be utilized to evaluate the relative priorities for the conservation, tourism and economic development of the Ramsar sites based on chosen criteria and indicators (elements). Pair wise comparison technique will be used in order to evaluate possible alternatives from different perspectives. To reflect the interdependencies in the network, pair wise comparisons will be conducted among all the elements. As different elements are usually characterized by different importance levels, the subsequent step will be the prioritization of the elements, which allows for a comparison among the elements using expert opinion as input and the results transferred into GIS environment. Elements to be evaluated and ranked will be represented by criterion maps. The criterion maps will be evaluated by reclassifying the data layers, to represent different needs for conservation and development of the Ramsar sites. To determine the water quality of the river, parameters of the sampling stations will be used to calculate the sub-indices. Consequently surface data of water quality will be generated from the points of the sampling stations and decisions taken appropriately. Map layers reflecting the opinion of different experts involved will be compared using the Boolean overlay approach of GIS. Subsequently conservation, tourism and economic development models will be generated, which will ensure that tourism maintain the viability of the study area for an indefinite period of time