TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF TOURISM SERVICE BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN A SMALL COASTAL TOWN OF MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/ijhtc.v10i2.13057Keywords:
Temporal dynamics, Small coastal towns, Tourism services, Local service economy, Sedili BesarAbstract
Small coastal towns often rely on service-based economies that shift with tourism demand and local community needs. While this dual dependence sustains livelihoods and attracts visitors, it also introduces vulnerabilities such as seasonal fluctuations, overreliance on weekend tourism, and unequal benefits for residents. Despite their importance, the temporal dynamics of service business activity in such towns remain underexplored, particularly in emerging economies where tourism and local services drive development. This study examines the temporal patterns of service businesses in Sedili Besar, Malaysia. Quantitative data were gathered through questionnaire-guided interviews with operators across food and beverage, tourism, retail, and financial services. Results reveal a strong weekday–weekend contrast: weekdays are dominated by essential services for locals, whereas weekends see surges in tourism-related businesses such as restaurants, accommodation, and recreation. The findings highlight a hybrid livelihood model where resident needs and visitor demand coexist but remain unevenly distributed across time. Heavy reliance on tourism-driven weekend activity heightens economic vulnerability, particularly during disruptions to visitor flows. This study contributes to small-town development research by underscoring temporal dynamics in shaping service economies and offers policy insights on balancing tourism growth with essential services that support community well-being.
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