Inclusive Heritage Tourism

We, Dr. Nor Rasidah Hashim and I presented a paper at Renaissance Hotel on Inclusive Heritage Tourism.

Here is the abstract. The topic is still to be explored.

However, if you would like a copy of the paper, please leave your email address in the comment section, if you don’t mind.

Abstract

The Ninth Malaysia Plan targets heritage and cultural tourism to be an important component of the tourism sector potentially attracting both domestic and international visitors providing for raising the standards of living, providing an increase in revenue and employment opportunities.   At the same time, a United Nation’s study projected that in the year 2025, the combination of disabled and elderly people above the age of 60 in a developing country such as Malaysia will make up almost 35% of the total population. 

The Social Model of Disability and the principles of Barrier-Free of “accessibility, safety and usability” provide the framework to include the elderly and disabled people in social activities such as visiting and enjoying heritage sites. The Social Model of Disability views societal and institutional barriers as the major causes that prevent disabled and elderly people from participating fully in activities such as visiting heritage sites with their families and friends.

Our access audits of two heritage buildings in Kuala Lumpur and Penang discovered that the planning, design and management of these buildings did not provide for the full access needs of disabled and elderly tourists.

Our paper also discusses the issue of possible conflict between conservation practice and inclusive heritage tourism. This is especially relevant because the perspectives on heritage conservation have changed considerably since the 1990s where now Malaysians generally view the preservation of heritage sites as a positive societal investment. With the emergence of the National Heritage Act in 2005, conservation of the built heritage is deemed to be an important activity to maintaining and preserving heritage sites.

Finally, we make recommendations for an improved management of heritage buildings to accommodate the needs of disabled and elderly tourists.

 Here are some pics from the power point presentation:

Killer Ramp at the Snake Temple in Penang

Temporary ramps at Khoo Khongsi, Penang