The function of rural service center in tourism activities

Abstract

The concentration of facilities in an ordinary service center shows gaps between tourism product and facilities in the area. As a result, some rural service centers are not able to support the tourism activities in the area. The focus of this study is to review the rural service center function whether it offers a comprehensive or limited basic function to tourism activities. Thus, the service centers located on the east coast of Johor and south of Pahang are focussed because of their location in the Special Tourism Zone based on the National Physical Plan. Field observation techniques and estimations using location coefficient analysis were conducted to obtain detailed information about the function and interaction between the service center and tourism activities. Otherwise, opinion and reaction on the tourism provision in catchment area was getting from tourist using interview technique. Preliminary findings show that not all service centers are able to fulfill the tourism activities. As a result, others function like commercial, transportation, financial and others social facilities are still required to keep the tourism function in order to support tourism activities in rural areas.