
PROJECTS
Cluster 2

01
Potentials of tourism development among the Dayak women in Sarawak
This paper aims to explore the unique cultural attributes owned by the Dayak women for tourism development. In addition, the existing natural products and their utilization for tourism sustainability are also captured. Tourism sustainability is measured from main three dimensions; economic, sociocultural, and environmental sustainability. This study employes a qualitative approach.
Research Team
Puvaneswaran Kunasekaran (Taylor’s University); Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan ( Taylor’s University); Joaquim Dias Soeiro (Taylor’s University)
Grant
Tan Sri Empiang Jabu Chair - UPM (Sarawak State Government)
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Budget
RM 12,000
02
Developing and validating assessment indicators for sustainable urban heritage sites in Malaysia
This project aims to develop assessment indicators for sustainable urban heritage sites that considers all the four pillars of sustainability including economic, social, environmental and governance. It is expected that this Sustainable Urban Heritage Index (SUHI) will facilitate the implementation of the Malaysian New Urban Agenda, whilst at the same time conserving the tangible and intangible heritage of historic urban environments as a critical part of Malaysia’s identity. It will focus on rich heritage districts in two cities, namely Kuala Lumpur and George Town. In collaboration with Urbanice Malaysia and Think City Sdn Bhd, the research will assist in achieving the sustainable development goals contained in the government’s Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 as well as the long-term planning for sustainable tourism espoused by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Research Team
Camelia May Li Kusumo (Taylor’s University); Seyyed Mostafa Rasoolimanesh ( Taylor’s University); Keith Tan Kay Hin (Taylor’s University); Ceelia Leong (Think City, Malaysia); Norliza bt Hasim (Urbanice Malaysia)
Grant
Fundamental Research Grant Schemes (Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia)
Budget
RM 98,700
Cluster 2
Cluster 3

03
Developing and validating the Sustainable Tourism Index towards SDGs for City Tourism in Malaysia
City tourism has both positive and negative economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts on destinations. Concerning the importance of these impacts, and to address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we need strong and clear measurement tools. There is no study on sustainable tourism indicators and index for urban destinations in Malaysia despite of enormous growth potential in tourism in the coming years. Therefore, the current study aims to develop and validate sustainable tourism index for Malaysian urban destinations considering four criteria: i) groups of stakeholders, ii) relevance to the four pillars of sustainability, iii) both subjective and objective indicators and v) relevance to the SDGs.
Research Team
Seyyed Mostafa Rasoolimanesh (Taylor’s University); Neethiahnanthan A/L M Ari Ragavan (Taylor’s University); Mastura Jaafar (University Sains Malaysia); Elise Wong (Taylor’s University)
Grant
Fundamental Research Grant Schemes (Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia)
Budget
RM 65,500
04
COVID-19 outbreak media exposure and future travellers' behavioural intentions
This study investigates the effects of cognitive destination image shaped by media during the COVID-19 pandemic on willingness to support and post-pandemic travel intention. The effects of four factors including trust, crisis management, healthcare system, and solidarity on travel behavioural intention are investigated and compared based on different characteristics, including tourists’ prior experience and COVID-19 case fatality rates of destinations.

Research Team
Seyyed Mostafa Rasoolimanesh (Taylor’s University); Siamak Seyfi (University of Oulu, Finland); Raymond Rastegar (University of Queensland, Australia); C.Michael Hall (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
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Grant
Self-funded by Researchers
Cluster 1
Cluster 2
Cluster 1

05
Memorable tourism experiences and behavioural intentions of heritage tourists
This study aims to investigate the interplay of visitor engagement, authenticity, and destination image in driving memorable tourism experiences (MTE), revisit and word of mouth (WOM) intentions of heritage tourists. The data for this research have been collected from tourists in the UNESCO-listed heritage sites.
Research Team
Seyyed Mostafa Rasoolimanesh (Taylor’s University); Siamak Seyfi (University of Oulu, Finland); C.Michael Hall (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
Grant
Self funded by Researchers
06
A model of Memorable Eco-Tourism Experiences (MEEs) using Smart Tourism Technology in Taman Negara, Malaysia
This paper aims to examine Smart Tourism Technologies (STTs) effects on enhancing tourists memorable experiences and sustainability of Taman Negara, Pahang Malaysia. A model which combined Memorable Ecotourism Experiences (MEEs) and Smart Tourism Technologies (STTs) will be used in this study. This study employs a quantitative approach.

Research Team
Thanam Subramaniam (Taylor’s University); Puvaneswaran Kunasekaran (Taylor’s University); Kandappan Balasubramanian (Taylor’s University); Zaiton Binti Samdin (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
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Grant
Taylor's University Faculty of Social Science & Leisure Management Internal Grant
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Budget
RM 5,200
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07
The Impact, Recovery and Future of the Business Events Industry in Malaysia after COVID-19
This research will report the impact of COVID-19 on the business events industry and discuss the new normal of business events in the future. This research is also expected to provide a valuable recovery plan for business events after COVID-19 and contribute to the academic discipline of event management.
Research Team
Lisa Tung Pei Pei (Taylor’s University); Sharon Linang Jimbun (Taylor’s University); Khairiah Ismail (Taylor’s University); Ng Wai Yee (Taylor’s University); Dhiya Hikmahana (Taylor’s University)
Grant
Taylor's University Faculty of Social Science & Leisure Management Internal Grant
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Budget
RM 5,200
08
Developing and validating a Sustainability Index and Scorecard for hotels
This project aims to investigates the current tools for measuring sustainability in the hotels' industry including CSR as well as their implementation barriers and benefits. Outcomes intend to propose a scale for measuring and monitoring sustainability in the hotel's industry benchmarking the experiences of CSR globally and locally

Research Team
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Dr. Joaquim Dias Soeiro (Lead), Dr. Ruth Sabina Francis, Dr. S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh Dr. Shantini Thuraiselvam Mr. Jonathan Lai
(Industry)
Grant
Fundamental Research Grant Schemes (FRGS) , Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia.
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Budget
RM 68,000