Unveiling the Heritage and Tourism Potential of Kampung Bandar, Perak,Malaysia

Kampung Bandar, located in Perak, Malaysia, holds significant cultural and historical value, with its roots tracing back to the 19th century when it served as a vital hub for river trade. Its rich legacy, comprising royal connections, Islamic heritage, and notable historical landmarks, has been preserved despite modern challenges such as urban migration and recurring environmental threats. The Al-Madinah Mosque, built in 1890, stands as a testament to the village's enduring cultural influence, while the royal tombs further cement its historical importance. The study aims to explores Kampung Bandar's heritage and evaluates its tourism potential, with a focus on promoting sustainable cultural tourism while ensuring the preservation of the village's historical and cultural assets. The study objective to unveil the historical and cultural heritage of Kampung Bandar, evaluate its tourism potential and the community's willingness to participate in cultural sharing, and analyze stakeholder roles and institutional support in preserving and promoting the village as a heritage tourism destination. A qualitative research approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews with three key residents who have long-term ties to the village, and site observations to document heritage features such as architecture, tombs, and the impact of floods on heritage sites. Although the sample size was reduced from 10 to three due to time constraints, the study provided in-depth insights. However, the research faced challenges such as limited participation from the younger generation, who have migrated to urban areas, and infrastructural issues, which may limit the generalizability of findings. Despite these challenges, the findings suggest that Kampung Bandar’s cultural assets are invaluable for heritage tourism, and integrating heritage tourism into the local economy could revitalize the community while preserving cultural practices. It is essential to invest in community involvement and infrastructure to fully realize the tourism potential of Kampung Bandar as a heritage tourism destination.