IMPACT OF TOURISM (KUALA LUMPUR)

Tourism is one of the largest and most important industries today. It developed after the decline of manufacturing and several other industries, which were previously monopolized by the world's economic and social system. With development, tourism destinations should be more creative and unique, in order to produce a competitive tourism destination.

Kuala Lumpur, the capital and largest city of Malaysia, is called KL by locals. Its modern skyline is dominated by the 451m-tall Petronas Twin Towers, a pair of glass-and-steel-clad skyscrapers with Islamic motifs. The towers also offer a public skybridge and observation deck. The city is also home to British colonial-era landmarks such as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. Kuala Lumpur has its own landmark which will be recognize by other countries around the world by the Petronas Twin Towers. Petronas Twin Tower World's tallest twin towers and third and fourth tallest singular towers, standing adjacent to one of the busiest shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur, Suria KLCC. As we all know, Kuala Lumpur most famous and busiest place would be at the Golden Triangle (Bukit Bintang and Imbi) which is Kuala Lumpur's busiest commercial district containing five-star hotels, restaurants to high-end shopping malls.

Other than that, the major tourist destinations in Kuala Lumpur include the Merdeka Square, the House of Parliament, the Petaling Street, the National Palace (Istana Negara), the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the National Museum, the Central Market, Kuala Lumpur City Gallery, the National Monument, and religious sites such as the Jamek Mosque and Batu Caves. Kuala Lumpur plays host too many cultural festivals such as the Thaipusam procession at the Sri Mahamariamman Temple. Every year during the Thaipusam celebration, a silver chariot carrying the statue of Lord Muruga together with his consort Valli and Teivayanni would be paraded through the city beginning at the temple all the way to the Batu Caves.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding urban areas form the most industrialised and economically, the fastest growing region in Malaysia. Despite the relocation of federal government administration to Putrajaya, certain government institutions such as Bank Negara Malaysia (National Bank of Malaysia), Companies Commission of Malaysia and Securities Commission as well as most embassies and diplomatic missions have remained in the city.

In so far as Kuala Lumpur is the capital of the nation, its economic catchments encompass the entire country. The present range of human activities in the City, its infrastructure and buildings, its parks and monuments, its spectrum of social, spiritual, recreational and entertainment facilities, and its concentration of governmental and nongovernmental institutions, are manifestations of the City’s function as the capital of the nation. With the relocation of federal government administrative functions to Putrajaya, some diminution of this role is likely to be felt, but the City will remain the economic and business centre of the country.

The city remains as the economic and business centre of the country. Kuala Lumpur is a centre for finance, insurance, real estate, media and the arts of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur is rated as an alpha world city, and is the only global city in Malaysia, according to the Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC).The infrastructure development in the surrounding areas such as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at Sepang, the creation of the Multimedia Super Corridor and the development of Port Klang further reinforce the economic significance of the city.

At the same time, Kuala Lumpur and its conurbation (KLC) or more known as metropolitan cities form a region is the most industrialized and economically the fastest growing in the country. Furthermore, the development of the KLIA at Sepang and the creation of the MSC, which includes Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, and the expansion of Port Klang have reinforced the national and international economic significance of the City.

As an international business centre, Kuala Lumpur vies with cities such as Singapore, Bangkok, Manila and Hong Kong for primary position in the Asia Pacific Region. In realizing its vision to become A World-Class City, Kuala Lumpur must address the regional, national and international perspectives, embrace the opportunities presented and define its specific role.

ENVIRONMENT IMPACT

In related with the Urban tourism, It is significant to comprehend and understand that although tourism has enhanced the economics level of Kuala Lumpur tourism, the value of environment are also one of  the important things that should be consider. The entry of large number of tourists to nature areas could damage the natural resources in the areas. The presence of tourists in an area of tourism, create demand for infrastructure such as water, electricity, telecommunications, accommodation, and so on. To meet these demands, a lot of land have to be sacrificed. Constructions of these facilities involve uncontrolled exploration of land, resulting in ecological disruption, such as the destruction of flora and fauna habitats, water pollution and changes in soil nutrients.

The development of other economic sectors in the urban tourism had bring about the development and the enhancement of the urbanization. As stated, by unplanned development of tourist areas contributes to degradation in environmental quality such as deterioration of water quality, air, noise and damage to natural sources. Air pollution is caused by exploration of land, motor vehicles and open burning. It consists of fumes, dust and poisonous gases, which affects the health of tourists and locals, as well as flora and fauna in the long run. Water pollution occurs from improper treatment of waste disposal directly into the drainage system. Besides that, water pollution in coastal waters are due to pollution in rivers through agricultural activities, industrial and domestic sewage from human activities.

However, development of tourists areas are essential in attracting tourists, therefore, development in these areas are unavoidable. Meanwhile, the good and systematic transportation links are factors attracting tourists to a destination, factors of time and their knowledge about places. Besides that, the selection of tourist destination, they are based on beautiful beaches, easy and convenient for a picnic and a stroll, availability of facilities such as accommodation, food stalls, recreational activities, public toilets, shower and dressing rooms and parking. All this indicates that besides the nature itself, other supporting factors such as facilities, accommodation and transportation are essential in attracting tourists.