George Town World Heritage Site: What We Have and What We Sell?

Abstract

<p>In the new era of technology, internet turns to be one of the main sources of information, since it is considered cheaper and easier to use. Hence in tourism, two main pull factors influencing potential tourist to visit a destination are recognized as nature and culture which a destination offers. The acceptance of culture as one of the important factors in tourists’ motivation, heritage sites become popular in many countries especially those which are nominated as world heritage sites. This paper is to analyze the condition of available online information about George Town world heritage spots (Penang, Malaysia). As far as heritage is one of the products of tourism and tourism, on the other hand, is a big help for sustainability of heritage sites, providing sufficient information about tourism heritage sites as a promotional key is very important. Top ten tourism websites were chosen and content analysis was performed to find the current situation of those websites. By recognizing heritage as tangible and intangible, the result shows that although the intangible heritages need more concern in sustainability matter, but the information about them are not as complete as the tangible ones. Lack of proper information was seen in most websites and the focus of information was more on tangible heritage and among intangible heritage, the main focus was on food. To support the result of analysis, in-dept interviews were conducted by couple of heritage offices in the city. The main reason behind the lack of sufficient information about intangible heritage seems to be the lack of complete list of them and moreover, promoting this division of heritage needs negotiation with the local residence involving in those activities. The paper suggests providing a complete list of George Town world heritage as far as some of them are disappearing lately, and keeping this valuable world heritage sustainable for next generation needs detailed study and completing the list as soon as possible. In this regard those intangible heritages which are in hazard of disappearing can be maintained by the effort of key holders of the field. Moreover, providing the mentioned list helps the information providers, especially related websites to focus equally on tangible and intangible George Town world heritage.</p

Reflections on Local Community Identity by Evaluating Heritage Sustainability Protection in Jugra, Selangor, Malaysia

“…Tourism development has gotten worldwide recognition as an impetus for economic growth, agriculture, and energy development and poverty alleviation [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN [11], defines tangible heritage as cultural heritage, including the structures, artefacts, and sites, whereas oral, folk, and popular cultural heritage, including fashion and costumes and Sustainability 2021, 13, 8705 2 of 21 human habits, are considered intangible cultural heritage (ICH) [12][13][14][15][16]. Similarly, heritage tourism also refers to the physical development by the modernization of social structures to meet tourists' expectations in history, art, culture, nature, etc.…”

Local community support, attitude and perceived benefits in the UNESCO World Heritage Site

“…The historical monuments erected throughout the city became the primary reason for tourists to visit George Town. It also significantly contributed to the tourists' arrival statistics of Malaysia (Chai, 2011; Farahani et al ., 2012).…”

Understanding Intangible Culture Heritage Preservation via Analyzing Inhabitants’ Garments of Early 19th Century in Weld Quay, Malaysia

“…There are two types of cultural heritage, namely the tangible and intangible heritage. Based on the ASEAN definition for cultural heritage, the structures, artefacts, and sites are considered tangible heritage, while the oral, folk, and popular cultural heritage including fashion and costumes and human habits are considered intangible cultural heritage (ICH) [4,5]. The Intergovernmental Committee also defined the Intangible Cultural Heritage as the element gives its practitioners a sense of identity and continuity, through the costumes, dances, and journey that they make; it is developed and passed on from generation to generation [6].…”

“…The connection between garments and the occupations of the inhabitants in Weld Quay are derived and simulated based on rudimentary knowledge in the work of [14]. Although there is a lack of proper information and preservation work of Weld Quay, safeguarding of the cultural heritage, especially the material culture, is very significant in today's life for the intangible value [4,15]. Moreover, UNESCO lists WHSs as those that carry the Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs), meaning the significant cultural and/or natural values that carry educational elements for the future generations [16].…”