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Indigenous tourism in Asia and Malaysia: the bibliometric analysis

Ab Rahman, Syakir Amir and Che Zuki, Fatin Nabila and Abdullah, Alias and Ibrahim, Illyani and Asmawi, M. Zainora and Abdul Razak, Rajabi and Najib, Nor Nadiah and Abdul Aziz, Maimunah (2025) Indigenous tourism in Asia and Malaysia: the bibliometric analysis. Jurnal Antarabangsa Alam dan Tamadun Melayu, 13 (2). pp. 76-91. ISSN 2289-1706 E-ISSN 2289-4268

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Abstract

Indigenous tourism has gained popularity among tourists seeking diverse cultural experiences. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Indigenous tourism research in Asia, especially in Malaysia, covering publications from 1993 to 2024. Using the Scopus database, 143 documents were analysed with VOSViewer, Microsoft Excel, and Harzing’s Publish or Perish to map co-authorship networks, assess citation metrics, and track thematic trends. The findings indicate a significant rise in research output after 2000, peaking in 2016 (14 articles) and 2017 (13 articles), with 2010 and 2016 registering the highest average number of citations. Most publications were journal articles (102) written in English (138), with Australia leading in research output (47 documents), followed by the United Kingdom (18), Canada (15), and Malaysia (7). Keyword analysis revealed a strong emphasis on ‘Indigenous Tourism’ (74 occurrences), followed by ‘Indigenous Population’ (35), ‘Tourism Development’ (29), and ‘Ecotourism’ (21), which highlights sustainability, heritage, and empowerment as central research themes. The most active institution was the University of Queensland (17 publications), and prominent authors included L. Ruhanen (13 articles) and M. Whitford (9 articles). The field recorded 2,193 total citations, an h-index of 27, and a g-index of 39, which signals robust scholarly engagement. The study also observed increased collaboration among researchers, institutions, and countries, with a growing trend in interdisciplinary studies. It is recommended that future research promote multilingual dissemination, increase the participation of Indigenous communities, and expand beyond the dominant Western focus to include underrepresented regions such as Southeast Asia. These steps are vital for creating more inclusive, equitable, and culturally respectful Indigenous tourism frameworks that align with the goals of sustainable development and the preservation of heritage.

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Bibliometric Analysis, Indigenous Tourism, Malaysia, Sustainability, Orang Asli
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) > G156.5.S87 Sustainable tourism
H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races > HT101 Urban groups. The city. Urban sociology
H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races > HT241 Urban ecology. Sustainable urban development
N Fine Arts > NA Architecture > NA9000 Aesthetics of cities. City planning and beautifying > NA9080 Urban planners
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design
Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design > Department of Urban & Regional Planning
Depositing User: Dr. Syakir Amir Ab. Rahman
Date Deposited: 30 May 2025 09:43
Last Modified: 30 May 2025 09:43
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/121274

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