RESEARCH IN CLIMATE CHANGE AND TOURISTS’ TRAVEL DECISION: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Climate change in Malaysia is usually associated with extreme weather and seasonality. Extreme weather variables include rainfall, temperature and wind while seasonality is always associated with dry and wet (monsoon) seasons. This paper provides insights to a research in climate change and tourists’ travel decision. The research was conducted in Sabah, one of the states in Malaysia. The literature review analysis suggested that climate change impacted tourists’ decision-making in traveling to their destination. The research started with establishing the dimensions of climate change and tested them on the tourists. The approach of this research is a mixed method where qualitative approach is used to establish the climate change dimension, while the quantitative approach is used to decide the existence of decision-making related to climate change. The research suggested that there are five dimensions of climate change, which are humidity, rainfall, sea level, vegetation and activity. The survey result suggested the tourists have sufficient knowledge on climate change and thus affecting their travel decision-making. The output is expected to provide insights to the academic and policy makers to strategize for future adaption planning.