BRIDGING INTEREST AND POTENTIAL OF ASTROTOURISM IN MALAYSIA: BARRIERS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND STRATEGIES

Authors

  • Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management, UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA MALAYSIA
  • Ermy Azziaty Rozali Faculty of Islamic Studies & Institute of Islam Hadhari, Institute of Islam Hadhari, UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA
  • Roziah Sidik@Mat Sidek Faculty of Islamic Studies & Institute of Islam Hadhari, Institute of Islam Hadhari, UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA
  • Fariza Md Sham Institute of Islam Hadhari, UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA
  • Muhammad Hafez Ahmat Murtza APADILANGIT SPACE ACADEMY, MALAYSIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1828

Keywords:

Astrotourism, Barriers, Opportunities, Strategies, Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the emerging astrotourist behavior, perceptions, and expectations by focusing on their interest in astronomy, awareness of astrotourism, amenities, accessibility, activities, and its value chain contributions. Using a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling, 117 responses were collected via face-to-face interviews and online surveys and analyzed descriptively. The study reveals a significant gap between interest (61.5%) and participation (13.7%) in astronomy tourism in Malaysia, driven by barriers like accessibility and awareness. Most respondents stressed the importance of basic astrotourism activities like stargazing and astrophotography. Findings highlight astrotourism's economic, educational, and spiritual value, emphasizing its untapped potential. The study emphasizes targeted marketing, infrastructure, and community engagement to bridge gaps between the products, operators and astrotourists for sustainable astrotourism growth in Malaysia. While demand for astrotourism is emerging in Malaysia, broader engagement requires targeted marketing, enhanced amenities, and competitive offerings.

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Published

2025-10-16

How to Cite

Hanafiah, M. H., Rozali, E. A., Sidik@Mat Sidek, R., Md Sham, F., & Ahmat Murtza, M. H. (2025). BRIDGING INTEREST AND POTENTIAL OF ASTROTOURISM IN MALAYSIA: BARRIERS, OPPORTUNITIES, AND STRATEGIES. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 23(38). https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1828

Issue

Vol. 23 (2025): PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL : Volume 23, Issue 4, 2025

Section

Article

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eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.

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