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Abstract-Issues relating to the importance and purpose of heritage preservation have been widely discussed in tourism research. Due to natural degradation, development activities, and the overcrowding effect, heritage preservation efforts are becoming more critical to ensure the sustainability of heritage sites. UNESCO's world heritage committee listed 38 heritage sites and properties as being in danger. In response to the problems, numerous advancement in digital technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) now offer useful applications in heritage preservation. The efforts in preserving heritage sites and objects through VR is not something new as more and more heritage sites and objects from around the world are rendered as 3D models and made virtually accessible. However, a combination of VR and AR may provide alternative form of access to threatened heritage sites and objects that lessen the impacts of visitors' overcrowding effect but at the same time heightens the overall experience. As such, this conceptual paper aims to propose a conceptual model of VR-AR technological combination as a holistic application for heritage tourism and preservation within the context of the UNESCO world heritage site in Melaka as well as the framework for determining the technology's potential.

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The Corona or Covid-19 outbreak has been much more prominent in media coverage than other recent epidemics. Media often adopt the frames in covering news and dealing with sources. This study aims to find out which frames are dominant during Covid-19 pandemic coverage from January 25 to June 10, 2020 in Indonesian and Malaysian newspapers. Two leading newspapers were selected as samples: Berita Harian represents reporting from Malaysia and Kompas represents reporting from Indonesia. This study uses a deductive analysis approach that involves predefining certain frames (alarming, reassuring, or neutral) as content analytic unit to confirm the degree to which these frames appear in the news. This study concludes that Berita Harian reported the Covid-19 pandemic with all the three frames (alarming, reassuring, and neutral) where a neutral frame is the most dominant (39.3%) followed by alarming (32.10%) and reassuring (28.60%). Meanwhile, the framing of Kompas' reporting on the Covid-19 pandemic was dominated by an alarming tone (83.30%) and neutral (16.70%) while the reassuring tone was absent from the newspaper. This study found that militaristic language was largely absent both in Berita Harian and Kompas. The occasional metaphor used to describe the Covid-19 pandemic is 'dangerous disease'.

This study examines the determinants of excursionists’ satisfaction and destination loyalty towards architectural tourism destination in Ipoh Township, since in view of its economic, social and cultural importance, there are limited studies focusing on tourist satisfaction and destination loyalty towards architectural tourism in the extant literature. In addition, the downturn of the tourism sector in Malaysia has mirrored in the state of Perak which raises an alarming signal to the state tourism authorities as domestic tourists are shifting away to tourism destinations in other states and cities in Malaysia. It is postulated that Destination Image, Authenticity, Safety of Destination and Cultural Differences as direct determinants of excursionists’ satisfaction and destination loyalty. Using convenience sampling technique, this study surveyed 250 excursionists who are visiting architectural tourism destination in Ipoh Township. The data were analysed to ensure the attainment of internal reliability before further analyses were conducted. Multiple linear regression analyses found that all determinants had a significant positive effect on excursionists’ satisfaction and destination loyalty. The findings suggest managerial implications to the tourism stakeholders in preserving the heritage and cultural value of the Ipoh Township. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also highlighted.

Particle Swarm Optimisation (PSO) is a popular technique in the field of Swarm Intelligence (SI) that focuses on optimisation. Researchers have explored multiple algorithms and applications of PSO, including exciting new technologies, such as Emotion Recognition Systems (ERS), which enable computers or machines to understand human emotions. This paper aims to review previous studies related to PSO findings for ERS and identify modalities that can be used to achieve better results through PSO. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of previous studies, this paper will adopt a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) process to filter related studies and examine papers that contribute to the field of PSO in ERS. The paper’s primary objective is to provide better insights into previous studies on PSO algorithms and techniques, which can help future researchers develop more accurate and sustainable ERS technologies. By analysing previous studies over the past decade, the paper aims to identify gaps and limitations in the current research and suggest potential areas for future research. Overall, this paper’s contribution is twofold: first, it provides an overview of the use of PSO in ERS and its potential applications. Second, it offers insights into the contributions and limitations of previous studies and suggests avenues for future research. This can lead to the development of more effective and sustainable ERS technologies, with potential applications in a wide range of fields, including healthcare, gaming, and customer service.

This paper aims to guide future researchers on research strategy for studying user's acceptance of tourism-related Information Technologies (ITs). In a study on user's acceptance of the technological-combination of virtual reality and augmented reality application in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Melaka, the author proposes 11 steps of research strategy which begin with developing the research framework (Step 1), proposing the research hypotheses (Step 2), determining research design (Step 3), designing sampling processes (Step 4), designing questionnaire (Step 5), conducting face validity (Step 6), developing the prototypes (Step 7), conducting pilot testing (Step 8), collecting data (Step 9), analyzing data (Step 10), as well as providing conclusion (Step 11).

An emotion recognition system or ERS is an emerging technology due to its potential use in various platforms, applications and sectors. ERS is a key technology arising from the fourth industrial revolution (IR 4.0) and arguably it is becoming a key technology in enabling the fifth industrial revolution (IR 5.0). This is so because IR 5.0 main feature is personalization. The body of knowledge on ERS consists largely of works on exploring the modalities or modes to recognise or determine emotion; the development of the system itself; and the creation of applications utilising the emotion recognition functions. However, to enable the researchers and innovators to develop better and more impactful ERS, they need to understand the factors shaping usage and determining adoption amongst the intended users. This particular aspect relating to ERS is not yet fully explored and understood. Plus, there is yet to be a definitive framework or model on determinants for ERS adoption. This research intends to address this important need. Specifically, this study will look into the key adopters that will be using ERS, and propose a conceptual framework for ERS adoption. The theories underpinning the proposed conceptual framework are the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Diffusion of Innovations (DOI). It is envisioned that this research will; confirm the validity of the proposed framework and generate new findings that will benefit ERS practitioners as well as adopters.