Beneficial Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Potential of Virtual Heritage Tours for Tourism in Malaysia

Authors

  • Nurul Farah Atikah Mohamad Zahar Studies of Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi MARA 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Siti Norlizaiha Harun School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi MARA 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Edzrie Shah Shaharudin Studies of Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi MARA 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Irin Caisarina Department Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
  • Ahmad Rasidi Abdul Ghani Jabatan Warisan Negara, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v21iSpecial%20Issue.1562

Keywords:

Virtual Reality (VR) Tourism, Virtual Heritage Tourism, Augmented Reality, Live Experience Tour, COVID-19, Visitor Experience

Abstract

Virtual heritage tours aim to recreate historical environments, offering immersive experiences that allow tourists to explore cultural and architectural landmarks remotely. These tours enhance the quality of the tourism experience by presenting visually engaging content and providing educational insights into the heritage and unique features of historical sites. Such virtual experiences create a sense of on-site presence, closely mimicking the authenticity of physical visits. This research investigates virtual heritage tour programs in Malaysia during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The study has two (2) key objectives: first, to assess the efforts of travel agencies in developing virtual tour programs, and second, to evaluate the experiences and satisfaction of virtual tourists participating in these programs. The research classifies virtual heritage tours into three (3) main types: Virtual Reality (VR) tours, live experience tours, and pre-recorded tours. Data was collected by analysing travel agency websites offering virtual heritage services and surveys distributed to participants who experienced the tours. Two (2) travel agencies were selected as case studies. In addition, a survey was administered, targeting 100 respondents, with 72% (72 respondents) completing the questionnaire. The findings provide insights into the types of virtual technologies travel agencies use and highlight the levels of appreciation and engagement among virtual tourists during the pandemic lockdown. This study contributes to understanding the role and impact of virtual heritage tours in maintaining cultural engagement during restricted travel.

Author Biographies

Nurul Farah Atikah Mohamad Zahar, Studies of Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi MARA 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Nurul Farah Atikah Mohamad Zahar, completed a Master Degree student form Universiti Teknologi MARA. She graduated from the Universiti Teknologi MARA with her Bachelor of Science (Honour) in Architecture in 2020. This study is part of her Master's Dissertation. She can be reached through her email at nurulfarahatikahmohamadzahar@gmail.com

Siti Norlizaiha Harun, School of Town Planning and Landscape Architecture, College of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi MARA 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Siti Norlizaiha Harun, PhD is an Associate Professor in the College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA. She specialises in historic building conservation, cultural heritage tourism, and urban design. She holds a PhD in Conservation (2005), a Master's in Urban Planning (1995), and a Bachelor's degree in Housing, Building & Planning (1994) from Universiti Sains Malaysia, along with a Diploma in Town and Regional Planning (1990) from Universiti Teknologi MARA. She is affiliated with the Sustainable Heritage Environment Research Centre. She can be reached through her email at sitin009@uitm.edu.my

Edzrie Shah Shaharudin, Studies of Postgraduate Studies, College of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi MARA 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Edzrie Shah Shaharudin is a final year student of PhD in Built Environment at the College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA. His main research activity is in the area of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and cultural mapping. He can be reached through his email at edzrieshah@gmail.com

Irin Caisarina, Department Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia

Irin Caisarina, PhD is a senior lecturer of Architecture and Planning Department at the Engineering Faculty in Syiah Kuala University. Graduated with a PhD in Transportation Planning and Master of Science in Building Technology at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her expertise is in transportation planning study, transport policy and public transportation, and she is actively involved in research and consultancy work related to public transportation. She can be reached through her email at irincaisarina@usk.ac.id

Ahmad Rasidi Abdul Ghani, Jabatan Warisan Negara, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia

Ahmad Rasidi Abdul Ghani, is an Assistant Curator of Archeology Department from National Heritage Department (JWN). Graduated with a Master of Science in Heritage and Conservation Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA. He can be reached through his email at rasidi@heritage.gov.my

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Published

05-10-2024

How to Cite

Mohamad Zahar, N. F. A. ., Harun, S. N., Shaharudin, E. S. ., Caisarina, I. ., & Abdul Ghani, A. R. . (2024). Beneficial Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: The Potential of Virtual Heritage Tours for Tourism in Malaysia. Built Environment Journal, 21(Special Issue). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v21iSpecial Issue.1562

Issue

Vol. 21 No. Special Issue (2024): Built Environment Journal

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2024 Nurul Farah Atikah Mohamad Zahar, Siti Norlizaiha Harun, Edzrie Shah Shaharudin, Irin Caisarina, Ahmad Rasidi Abdul Ghani

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