MALAYSIAN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Environmental law plays an important role in tourism development in Malaysia. Over the last forty years, the growth of tourist arrivals and tourist receipts in this country was high and increased rapidly. By 2006, Malaysia generated a total of nearly 18 million in receipts. However, poorly planned mass tourism in this country has also led to environmental degradation. It is clear there are number of environmental effects arising from tourism that are specially degrading the natural values. As a major force in the world economy with tremendous impacts on the environment and it came as no surprise that the tourism sector became a target to reform in its approach to development. The new paradigm has come to be known as sustainable tourism development governs by environmental law. This paper examines the legislating tourism businesses and the environment, the bodies and agencies set up under legislation, and the legislative incentives that the government has provided.