Development of Rural Tourism in Perak Tengah District Based on Local Authority Perspectives

Abstract

Perak Tengah District has much cultural heritage potential to promote, notably in terms of village life, arts, culture, and agriculture. In order to be beneficial to the community, additional efforts should be encouraged to draw tourists to Perak, and the new attraction should be carefully defined and interpreted, especially in rural regions. Unfortunately, there is not enough support for the tourism industry's infrastructure, and the services are still not up to par. The Local Plan 2013, which promotes tourist-related products in Perak Tengah, is the foundation of the proposal to boost tourism there. This is consistent with the policies outlined in the Perak State Plan, which emphasises Perak Tengah's tourism products and integrated growth as a Perak tourism attraction. Focus group discussions with local agencies will be used in this study's qualitative research, which will be used to examine the rural development in the Perak Tengah District. The study begins by identifying the person in charge of change for each administrative area. This study is divided into five (5) main sections: the tourist destination, the tourist product, the tourist activities, the promotion of tourism, and the infrastructure for tourists, particularly in the administrative district. Based on the findings of this study, it was found that there are various potentials that local authorities can highlight. The suggestions and perceptions expressed that rural tourism can revive and improve the tourism economy in Perak Teng

Operational Framework for Rural Tourism Destination Management and Marketing Organizations

“…However, when they visit leisure farms, they start to understand how important agriculture is in their lives. They begin to appreciate the importance of farming practices, the need to support farmers and the value of consuming locallygrown produce [11].…”

“…These activities create opportunities for guides, porters and support staff offering them employment options and a source of income. Consequently, rural residents who previously relied on subsistence agriculture or traditional crafts can now explore livelihoods in the tourism industry contributing to the diversification of economies [11].…”

“…Conservation efforts should be at the core of how rural resorts operate in order to protect the resources that initially attract tourists. Implementing eco-initiatives like waste reduction and energy conservation can help to minimize their impact [11].…”

“…When visitors are attracted to these areas, it supports not only businesses but also brings in income and creates job opportunities. Various stakeholders benefit from tourism-related activities, including accommodation providers, restaurants, transportation services artisans who create handicrafts and tour guides [11]. Additionally, the arrival of tourists often leads to improvements in infrastructure such as roads, communication facilities and hospitality services.…”

“…Rural tourism is intricately intertwined with the lives of communities and their pristine surroundings. Within this particular rural tourism sphere, various institutions such as homestays, community-based tourism projects, agricultural tourism and ecotourism initiatives play a role in offering a sustainable travel experience [11].…”