Penang for heritage tourists?

Penang has begun to re-orient itself as a heritage tourism destination, especially since the addition of Georgetown's historic center to the UNESCO World Heritage List two years ago.

Traditionally promoted as a beach resort, Penang has unique and more significant cultural attractions. Investors have only just begun to understand their potential. Recent private sector initiatives have seen the restoration of Georgetown's pre-war buildings and, together with the Malasyia My Second Home campaign, have led to the area's reinvigoration. 164 pre-war properties changed hands in the first half of 2009 alone, compared to a total of 120 in the whole year of 2008.

Many formerly neglected shophouses are now boutique apartments, cafes, and art galleries. Continued promotion of Penang's historic and cultural assets to tourists and potential businesses would be a great benefit to the local economy.

article & source: Business Times (opinion piece)

Eco-tourism in far east Indonesia

The Guardian has a feature on the Misool Eco Resort in Raja Ampat, far eastern Indonesia, one of the most biodiverse marine locations in the world. Not only is the dive focused resort built to strict ecological standards, its presence (and others like it) in the region have actually helped to save the local environment. Once infamous for illegal fishing by old, polluting vessels, the Misool area is now a fishing free zone enforced by local business groups, happy with the financial injection from foreign eco-tourists.

This is exactly the kind of sophisticated tourism development Indonesia should be pursuing. One that showcases a beauty mostly unknown to outsiders while protecting its heritage. So many islands, so much potential.

source & article: The Guardian