Abstract
The Bajau ethnic community in Sabah, Malaysia, is celebrated for its rich maritime heritage and unique cultural identity, yet continues to face socio-economic marginalisation, particularly in rural island environments. This study examines how indigenous knowledge-based tourism in Mabul and Larapan Islands can serve as a resilient and sustainable development pathway for the Bajau community. Survey data were collected from 30 Bajau respondents across selected villages, focusing on three core dimensions: cultural heritage potential, community participation, and perceived socio-economic outcomes. The instrument demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.80), affirming its reliability. Early findings indicate strong community interest in tourism initiatives that preserve cultural knowledge while generating livelihood opportunities. These results provide an empirical basis for developing a resilient indigenous knowledge-based tourism model tailored to the Bajau context. The study contributes to contemporary debates on sustainable tourism, cultural resilience, and inclusive community development, offering relevant implications for policymakers, NGOs, and practitioners seeking to integrate indigenous knowledge into tourism and leisure planning.
Presenters
Mohamad Pirdaus YusohSenior Lecturer, Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism and Wellness, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kelantan, Malaysia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Pathways to Resilience; Sustainable Practices in Tourism and Leisure
KEYWORDS
Indigenous knowledge, Community resilience, Bajau community, Sustainable tourism, Indigenous Tourism
