Reinventing cultural, heritage tourism to promote unity
a recent retreat to Kota Kinabalu, our group, comprising families from the Alliance for a Safe Community, had a profoundly enlightening experience when we visited the Mari Mari Cultural Village.
This visit, combined with the anticipation of Malaysia’s upcoming 60th anniversary on Sept 16, unexpectedly sparked an idea: the potential of using cultural tourism to foster unity among Malaysians.
The Mari Mari Cultural Village served as a splendid showcase of Malaysia’s diverse East Malaysian ethnic groups and their vibrant traditions.
This brief excursion served as a catalyst for me to contemplate how we could harness the power of cultural tourism to bridge divides and promote a sense of togetherness in the lead-up to such a significant national milestone.
Imagine the prospect of leveraging the vibrant heritage of New Villages, Malay kampungs, and once predominantly Indian estates.
Picture interactive exhibitions that transport you through time, providing firsthand experiences of the customs and values that have shaped our diverse communities.
To bring this vision to life, it is imperative that the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry collaborates closely with the National Unity Ministry and engages experts well-versed in
cultural preservation and promotion.
By involving these professionals and proactively engaging existing tour and resort operators, we can reimagine our cultural tourism design, transcending existing limitations.
They can craft engaging, interactive games that enable visitors, especially the younger generation, to appreciate and delve deep into the culture, offering a taste of what our ancestors experienced in the early days of our nation.
As we approach the diamond jubilee of
Malaysia’s founding, we must constantly bear in mind that our nation’s cultural richness serves as a powerful tool for promoting unity.
Tourism, when conducted thoughtfully, becomes a celebration of our heritage, transcending mere economic gains.
Cultural tourism serves as a platform for sharing stories, traditions, and values that have been lovingly passed down through generations.
Beyond fostering unity among our own people, it plays a vital role in helping foreigners
comprehend and appreciate Malaysia’s diverse cultures.
As we approach this landmark anniversary, tourists who engage with our rich cultural heritage will depart with indelible memories and newfound respect for Malaysia’s hallmark of “unity in diversity”.
Our unique diversity deserves to be explored in-depth, allowing us to authentically represent Malaysia’s famous tagline, “Malaysia Truly Asia”.