Measuring what matters: a consensus-based approach for sustainable recreation management in Penang National Park

Sustaining recreation quality in protected areas remains challenging because sustainability is often difficult to operationalize into measurable indicators reflecting both visitor experiences and management concerns. This study examined sustainable recreation management in Penang National Park (PNP), Malaysia, by identifying consensus-based indicators derived from visitor and stakeholder perspectives. Specifically, the study aimed to identify conditions influencing visitor enjoyment and stakeholder concern and to establish measurable indicators for sustainable recreation management. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 visitors and 18 stakeholders, including park authorities, nature guides, and local operators. Data were analyzed using a hybrid inductive–deductive coding approach guided by the carrying capacity framework across resource, social, and managerial dimensions. Six indicators were identified: length of trail root exposure, length of trail gully surfaces, amount of litter on the beach, number of visitors on the beach, number of campers at the campsite, and number of unusable toilets. These indicators provide measurable and site-specific tools linking ecological conditions, visitor experience, and management performance. The findings demonstrate how sustainability can be operationalized through consensus-based indicators to support adaptive and evidence-based recreation management in protected areas.

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