STAKEHOLDER PERCEPTIONS OF A WORLD HERITAGE SITE: THE CASE OF GEORGE TOWN, PENANG

Transcription

1 STAKEHOLDER PERCEPTIONS OF A WORLD HERITAGE SITE: THE CASE OF GEORGE TOWN, PENANG BADARUDDIN MOHAMED School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang

2 Focus of Forum..there is growing realization that other aspects such as cultural presentation and public awareness should be embraced. Well designed tourism facilities and improved site management capacity can help to mitigate tourism threats and enhance revenue capture. Through pro-active tourism management, stakeholders can be empowered to strengthen conservation efforts and benefit community.

3 Awareness of the WHS Status of George Town Are you aware that George Town has been listed as World Heritage Site? Missing Value 1% 11% t Sure 20% 68% residents; accommodation sector (e.g., hotel, motel, hostel, and inn operators); transportation sector (e.g., transport rental operators); real estate sector (e.g., realtors, real estate agents, and brokers); travel and tours sector (e.g., travel agents, tour operators, and tour guides); and retail/service sector (e.g., money changers, souvenir shop owners, restaurant owners, and other business operators). George Town Stakeholders Perception Survey, Feb Tourism Research Cluster USM

4 What does the World Heritage Status mean to you? Our cultural heritage is recognized as having international importance The status serves as a symbol to show our cultural heritage t Sure 15% Missing Value 18% 58% t Sure 7% 11% Missing Value 18% 64% 9% The inclusion of George Town has contributed to the preservation of the site The inclusion of George Town in the WHS list strengthens the national policy on the protection of the site Missing Value 18% Missing Value 18% t Sure 26% 48% t Sure 24% 47% 8% George Town Stakeholders Perception Survey, Feb Tourism Research Cluster USM 11%

5 Cultural Tourism in WHS More tourists, more revenues from taxes and foreign exchange Increased property values Spill over to other industries, business opportunities promotes heritage conservation & culture open up nations to international contacts and exchange The Good News

6 The status plays an important role in attracting more visitors to George Town t Sure 5% Missing Value 19% This status has given positive impacts on the businesses in George Town 9% 67% Missing Value 19% t Sure 10% 8% 63% The WHS listing would inspire positive changes in the city This status has improved the general well being of George Town Missing Value 18% t Sure 19% 7% 56% Missing Value 18% t Sure 12% 8% 62% George Town Stakeholders Perception Survey, Feb Tourism Research Cluster USM

7 Cultural Tourism in WHS The t-so-good News Increased tourist activities, congestions Change of use of buildings to tourism activities Social, economic and environmental stress on community People are moving out Commoditization of culture Cultural drift McDonaldization of everything! And the emergence of Airport Craft

8 Penang Souvenirs?

9 Tourism Impacts of World Heritage Designation Agree tourism having a vital role in this community Tourism improves understanding of my community and culture Tourism helps preserve the cultural identity of my community Tourism encourages a variety of cultural activities by local residents Tourism development increases the traffic problems of George Town Tourism development improves the appearance of George Town I would personally benefit from tourism in my community Increasing the number of tourist to a community improves the local community Tourism results in more litter in this area The quality of public services in my community has improved due to tourism I am happy and proud to see tourists coming to see what my community has to offer In recent years, my community has become overcrowded because of tourists Georgetown Stakeholders Perception Survey, Feb Tourism Research Cluster USM

10 The restoration and conservation of heritage buildings in George Town This is my own property, so I have to maintain it accordingly. 8% 1% 2% 4% The government should provide incentives to encourage the restoration of historic buildings 17% 1% 2% 16% 5% 41% 44% 59% The restoration and conservation of the heritage buildings is very important in sustaining George Town's WHS status 26% 0% 2% 3% 49% 20% Legend: Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly agree Missing value George Town Stakeholders Perception Survey, Feb Tourism Research Cluster USM

11 Conclusion Awareness and Involvement of local population important Sense of place & authenticity Needs mechanism to retain people (+culture) within the city boundary Balanced representation of culture equally important The road ahead: Why must people care?

12 Thank you

13 Demographic Profile Respondents Education Background 14% 5% 1% 10% 1% 30% Accommodation Sector Real Estate Resident 31% 10% 12% Primary Education Secondary Education 39% retail/service sector Transportation Sector Travel & Tour 47% Tertiary Education Formal Education Missing Value Respondent's Gender Missing Value 1% Respondent's Race Others 5% Female 41% Male 58% Indian 30% Malay 43% Chinese 22%

14 Tourism Stakeholder Groups [1] residents; [2] accommodation sector (e.g., hotel, motel, hostel, and inn operators); [3] transportation sector (e.g., transport rental operators); [4] real estate sector (e.g., realtors, real estate agents, and brokers); [5] travel and tours sector (e.g., travel agents, tour operators, and tour guides); and [6] retail/service sector (e.g., money changers, souvenir shop owners, restaurant owners, and other business operators).