WITH the opening of the international border, the pace of recovery in Malaysia’s inbound tourism is accelerating amid continued growth in the number of both foreign tourist arrivals and local tourism.
Recently, the Tourism Malaysia Director-General, Datuk Dr. Ammar Abdul Ghapar, announced that Malaysia is poised to surpass its international tourist arrival target for this year and is expected to reach 18 million by the end of 2023. As for the domestic tourism, 54.5 million visitors were recorded, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
With the statistics, the tourism sector is showing signs of recovery with an optimistic outlook. While the industry players welcome the tourists with open hands, the sudden surge may result in environmental issues such as degradation of service quality and an exponential increase in waste and pollution.
For example, the increased number of tourists in Penang or Malacca, which was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which is rich in arts, culture, and heritage, may face issues such as vandalism, looting, and overcrowding of tourists, which could potentially threaten their outstanding universal value (OUV), as the heritage sites are forced to deal with more than they can handle, putting a strain on the location.
The degradation of cultural heritage sites represents one of the most important threats for the future generation. UNESCO has a list of World Heritage in Danger and there were 56 properties on the list. The last thing we want for our heritage sites is to be on the list. As much as we hold pride in our heritage sites, are we doing enough to preserve them?
Tourism can be viewed as either a source of funding to save such landmarks or as a curse that erases them. Without effective management and preservation efforts, as well as sustainable practices, the dangers posed by the tourism industry risk causing irrevocable damage to the unique values of the sites. Therefore, collaborative efforts among stakeholders as well as the community around the heritage destinations are essential. The community should work hand in hand with the local authority to ensure the sustainability of the destinations. Such cooperative commitment and efforts are essential to managing the flow of the tourists and reducing the strain at the destination. The strategy aims to integrate tourism planning and heritage management at the destination level, valuing and protecting natural and cultural assets while encouraging responsible tourism development at the destination.
In addition, by fostering creativity, we can also integrate technology into preservation efforts. Augmented reality (AR) has its potential in cultural heritage preservation. With AR, tourists can experience a more immersive and interactive journey through the identity and authenticity of the arts and cultural knowledge. Imagine visiting the Stadthuys in Malacca using an AR application on your smartphone to witness what the place looked like in its prime time during the Dutch Colonial period. Through the apps, you can experience the neighbouring Christ Church building, over looking at the clocktower around the bustling street as administrative capital, listen to the sounds of busy life at the location, and even interact with virtual characters from that era. This level of engagement not only enhances the visitor experience but also fosters a deeper connection to the cultural heritage being preserved.
World Heritage sites are the embodiment of our shared pride and our country’s historical legacy, representing a link between the past, present, and future. It is therefore our responsibility to ensure that we are able to preserve them for future generations. Together, as a part of the community, we can play a pivotal role in contributing to achieving this essential goal of heritage preservation.
As a part of the community, we need to be proactive in contributing together to preserving the heritage that we have, as we are blessed with the rich cultural and historical heritage on the world heritage map, along with the recognition from UNESCO. Today, with the advent of technology, we should utilise it to further assist us in preserving the destination and, at the same time, providing memorable heritage tourism experiences to the visitors.
A national heritage is what is of value and pride to the nation, as it is a part of our legacy, our memory, and our history. We would not want our future generation to access and get to know our heritage only through an image on a postcard.
Dr Tan Poh Ling is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Advertising, School of Communication, Xiamen University Malaysia.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
AWANI Columnist
Thu Oct 05 2023
![[COLUMNIST] Are we doing enough to preserve our heritage sites? [COLUMNIST] Are we doing enough to preserve our heritage sites?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-10/71696496827_bangunanmerah.jpg)
While the industry players welcome tourists with open hands, the sudden surge may result in environmental issues such as degradation of service quality and an exponential increase in waste and pollution. - Pic via Dr Tan Poh Ling
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).
![Peruntukan RM4.61 juta bagi Tahun Melawat Perak 2024 setakat ini - Exco Peruntukan RM4.61 juta bagi Tahun Melawat Perak 2024 setakat ini - Exco](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51713263710_TBDaudKilau.jpg)
Peruntukan RM4.61 juta bagi Tahun Melawat Perak 2024 setakat ini - Exco
Kerajaan Negeri Perak setakat ini menyediakan peruntukan RM4.61 juta untuk melaksanakan program dan infrastruktur pelancongan negeri sempena TMP 2024.
![Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720528606_SulungQingdao.jpg)
Malaysia catat 438 penerbangan mingguan dari China
Jumlah penerbangan mingguan dari China ke Kuala Lumpur mencecah 438 penerbangan dan dijangka terus meningkat tahun ini, kata Ketua Pengarah Tourism Malaysia P. Manoharan.
![Tourism Malaysia raih Anugerah Perak di Drum Marketing Awards APAC Tourism Malaysia raih Anugerah Perak di Drum Marketing Awards APAC](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51718948920_tourismmalaysia.jpg)
Tourism Malaysia raih Anugerah Perak di Drum Marketing Awards APAC
Ia satu pengiktirafan untuk kempen 'Selamat Kembali ke Malaysia' oleh BBC StoryWorks untuk Lembaga Penggalakan Pelancongan Malaysia pada 2023.
![Ganding bahu, serius dan perkemas strategi untuk pastikan kejayaan VM2026 - Tiong Ganding bahu, serius dan perkemas strategi untuk pastikan kejayaan VM2026 - Tiong](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718359722_tbTiongKingSingM.jpg)
Ganding bahu, serius dan perkemas strategi untuk pastikan kejayaan VM2026 - Tiong
Kenal pasti kelemahan untuk diperbaiki juga kekuatan untuk diperkuatkan lagi untuk menggamit lebih ramai pelancong datang ke negara ini.
![Balai Seni Negara Langkawi tawar pengalaman pelancongan seni dan budaya Balai Seni Negara Langkawi tawar pengalaman pelancongan seni dan budaya](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717889517_tbbalaiseninegara.jpg)
Balai Seni Negara Langkawi tawar pengalaman pelancongan seni dan budaya
Usaha menarik potensi lebih ramai pelawat ke Langkawi bakal dilakukan dengan memanfaatkan seni dan budaya, sebagai tarikan utamanya.
![Tourism Malaysia sasar 220 juta pelawat domestik tahun ini Tourism Malaysia sasar 220 juta pelawat domestik tahun ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81717830788_TBsandbarwalk.jpg)
Tourism Malaysia sasar 220 juta pelawat domestik tahun ini
Tourism Malaysia menyasarkan bilangan pelawat domestik sebanyak 220 juta orang dengan jumlah perbelanjaan RM88 bilion pada tahun ini.
![Tourism Malaysia promosikan budaya sarapan pagi di Malaysia Travel Escapade Tourism Malaysia promosikan budaya sarapan pagi di Malaysia Travel Escapade](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713045135_tourismmalaysia.jpg)
Tourism Malaysia promosikan budaya sarapan pagi di Malaysia Travel Escapade
Sarapan pagi kegemaran rakyat Malaysia mencuri perhatian pengunjung di Malaysia Travel Escapade 2024 yang dianjurkan buat julung kalinya di Suntec City Mall dari 12 hingga 14 April.
![Tingkat kerjasama antara negeri bangunkan pelancongan seimbang - Tourism Malaysia Tingkat kerjasama antara negeri bangunkan pelancongan seimbang - Tourism Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/61672661300_YeohSoonHin.jpg)
Tingkat kerjasama antara negeri bangunkan pelancongan seimbang - Tourism Malaysia
Kerjasama antara negeri perlu bagi meningkatkan pembangunan pelancongan yang seimbang, sekali gus menarik kehadiran pelancong di seluruh negara.
![Tourism Malaysia yakin sasaran lima juta pelancong dari China dapat dicapai Tourism Malaysia yakin sasaran lima juta pelancong dari China dapat dicapai](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/71711941291_MANOHARANPERIASAMY.jpg)
Tourism Malaysia yakin sasaran lima juta pelancong dari China dapat dicapai
Ketua Pengarah Tourism Malaysia P Manoharan berkata tahun lepas Malaysia menerima sejumlah 1.47 juta pelancong dari China.
!['Mai ke Perlis!' Usaha pikat hati pencinta eko-pelancongan antarabangsa terus dipergiat 'Mai ke Perlis!' Usaha pikat hati pencinta eko-pelancongan antarabangsa terus dipergiat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71710516614_TBtourism.jpg)
'Mai ke Perlis!' Usaha pikat hati pencinta eko-pelancongan antarabangsa terus dipergiat
Perlis ketengah identiti destinasi eko pelancongan unggul bagi menarik kedatangan pelancong dan ia disemarakkan dengan pelbagai kerjasama.