The Potential of Bukit Besi Town as a Heritage Tourism Destination

• Published in: Studies in Systems, Decision and Control
• Main Author: Chik W.M.Y.W.; Ali A.W.M.; Ramly A.F.; Ngah W.M.R.W.; Kadir F.A.; Fadzli A.I.M.
• Format: Book chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH 2025
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85214666263&doi=10.1007%2f978-3-031-71526-6_35&partnerID=40&md5=3dda4ea1d18c4fd39dcd45f6fdaaaaf6

The tourism industry in Terengganu state is synonymous with the natural beauty and cultural heritage segments. While the heritage tourism segment remains relatively less popular, it boasts several unique heritage tourism destinations, including the historic iron ore mining heritage in Bukit Besi, which has had a distinguished history. Bukit Besi still possesses numerous valuable artifacts suitable for presentation as tourist destinations at both domestic and international levels. The primary objective of the study is to identify artifacts with potential for development as heritage tourism products and to highlight various other attractions in making Bukit Besi a tourism destination. The study adopts a qualitative approach. Data collection involves delineating the concept of heritage tourism and its developmental potential in Bukit Besi through literature review and on-site observations. The study finds that Bukit Besi is a unique heritage tourism destination with a variety of iron ore mining artifacts. It is conveniently located and accessible to tourists under the management of KETENGAH, which undertakes various initiatives to preserve this historical heritage. Most surviving artifacts are basic structures constructed by the Japanese authorities. These include House No. 1, the Crushing Plant, the Tin Plant, Stockpile (warehouses), Chimneys, Underground Tunnels, Dynamite Storage, among others. Additionally, Bukit Besi offers various other tourism attractions related to cultural tourism, natural surroundings, and exploration, encompassing lakes, waterfalls, rivers, and lands teeming with the nation's biodiversity treasures. This undoubtedly provides an additional venue for cultural and religious heritage tourism, which are focal points along the Terengganu coastline. The study suggests that more aggressive efforts be made through strategic collaboration among various government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Emphasis should be placed on domestic and international tourists, particularly from Japan and Britain, who have a sentimental attachment to Bukit Besi’s history. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.