Exploring Potential Heritage Tourism in Teluk Intan Perak

Heritage tourism involves travelling to experience the history, culture, traditions, and environment of a region, generating cultural, educational, social, and economic benefits. Teluk Intan, Perak, is a historically significant town and former trading centre along the Perak River, possessing diverse heritage resources, including the iconic Leaning Tower, colonial-era shophouses, traditional Malay settlements, crafts, historical buildings, and local gastronomic traditions. However, many of these resources remain underutilised and vulnerable to neglect due to limited conservation, documentation, promotion, and public awareness. This study aims to identify potential heritage tourism products in Teluk Intan. A qualitative approach was adopted through systematic observation surveys and field visits to identify, document, and assess tangible and intangible heritage resources based on their historical, cultural, physical, and tourism characteristics. Data were analysed thematically and categorised according to their heritage tourism potential. The findings provide an inventory of potential heritage tourism products that can support heritage trail development, digital mapping, conservation initiatives, and tourism promotion. The study also contributes to teaching and learning by providing students with experiential opportunities to develop skills in field observation, heritage documentation, GIS mapping, thematic analysis, and tourism planning. Future research should incorporate community and tourist perspectives, GIS-based heritage mapping, and heritage significance assessment to develop integrated and sustainable heritage tourism strategies for Teluk Intan and the wider Hilir Perak region.

Exploring, Heritage Tourism, Heritage Zone, Potential Heritage, Teaching and Learning in Tourism

1. PlanMalaysia, (2022), Draf Rancangan Struktur Negeri Perak 2040, PlanMalaysia Putrajaya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Teluk Intan Manucipal Council. (2024), Laporan Teknikal Rancangan Kawasan Khas Zon Warisan Bandar Teluk Intan 2035. Teluk Intan Manucipal Council. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. (2012), National Planning Policy Framework, Government of United Kingdom. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. UNESCO. (2024), "What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 13 January 2024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. UNESCO. (2021), ‘World Forum for Intangible Cultural Heritage’ kicks off today. Retrieved 21 March 2025. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Abdul Halim Choo, I., Abdul Rashid, M. S., Nazrul Helmy Jamaludin, Muhammad, A., & Mohd Nor, O. (2024). Climate Responsive Design in Heritage Structure: An Analysis on The Decorative Architectural Components Design of Rumah Limas Bumbung Perak (RLBP). Planning Malaysia, 22(2), 442–454. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Al-Sakkaf, A., Bagchi, A., & Zayed, T. (2020). A Review of Definition and Classification of Heritage Buildings and Framework for their Evaluation. 2nd International Conference on New Horizons in Green Civil Engineering (NHICE-02), 1–5. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Alzarooni, S. A. (2011). Cultural Asset Mapping. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. https://saadaqeelalzaroonimapping.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/cultural-asset-mapping/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Department for Communities. (2016, March 10). Heritage in Government Care. Department for Communities. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Gurstein, P. (1990). Malaysian Architectural Heritage Survey. Badan Warisan Malaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Jabatan Warisan Negara. (2020). Jurnal Warisan Tidak Ketara. Jabatan Warisan Negara. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Jabatan Warisan Negara. (2023, November 6). Warisan Tidak Ketara. Jabatan Warisan Negara 2023; Jabatan Warisan Negara. https://www.heritage.gov.my/en/utama-warisan-tidak-ketara.html [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Kamaruddin, Z., Abdul Latip, N. S., Mansor, M., Salleh, N. H., & Hakim, L. (2020). Sustainability of Malay Traditional Craft and Craftmanship as Cultural Heritage in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia. Journal of Architecture, Planning and Construction Management, 3(1), 152–170. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Akta Warisan Kerajaan 2005 Akta 645, (2006). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Majlis Perbandaran Teluk Intan. (2024). Deraf Rancangan Kawasan Khas Zon Warisan Teluk Intan 2035. Majlis Perbandaran Teluk Intan. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Pillai, J. (2020). Cultural mapping: a guide to understanding place, community and continuity. Strategic Information and Research Development Centre. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. PlanMalaysia. (2023). Garis Panduan Perancangan Pemuliharaan dan Bangunan Warisan (PeWARIS). PlanMalaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. PlanMalaysia, (2022). Rancangan Struktur Negeri Perak 2040. PlanMalaysia. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Rashid, M. S. A. (2015). Understanding the Past for a Sustainable Future: Cultural Mapping of Malay Heritage. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 170, 10–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Rupal S, P., & Ekta, S. (2020). Dispositive: Manifestation of Heritage. A Global Journal of Humanities, 3(3), 56–61. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Tourism Malaysia. (2023). Malaysia Showcases Its Rich Eco-Heritage and Sustainable Tourism at IFTM-Top Resa Paris - Tourism Malaysia Corporate Site. Tourism Perak. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Tourism Perak. (2022). Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan – Tourism Perak Malaysia. Tourism Perak. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. UNESCO. (2021). UNESCO - The 2021 edition of the “World Forum for Intangible Cultural Heritage” kicks off today. UNESCO; UNESCO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. UNESCO. (2024). Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee 2024. UNESCO. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Wan Ali, W. N., Mohd Zin, I. N., Ibrahim, A., Abdul Halim, A. Z., Noor Rizallinda Ishak, & Nor Azizah Talkis. (2023). Determining The Intervention Strategy for Heritage Shophouse Facades at Ipoh, Perak. Planning Malaysia Journal, 21(2), 275–286. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar