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

A significant gap exists in the online representation of intangible heritage within George Town. While tangible heritage dominates promotional content across top tourism websites, intangible elements—particularly beyond food—receive scant attention despite their critical role in sustainability. Content analysis of ten major tourism sites revealed incomplete or skewed information, with interviews confirming challenges like missing inventories and negotiation hurdles for local stakeholders. The study underscores the urgent need to compile a comprehensive list of George Town’s heritage, including endangered intangible elements, to ensure balanced promotion and long-term preservation efforts.

Farahani, B. M., Abooali, G., & Mohamed, B. (2012). George Town World Heritage Site: What We Have and What We Sell? Asian Culture and History, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.5539/ach.v4n2p81