Cultural Tourism Development at Chin Swee Caves Temple, Genting Highlands: A GIS and SWOT-Based Learning Resource

Authors

  • Ratu Insani Ramadona Universitas Negeri Padang
  • Dedi Hermon Universitas Negeri Padang
  • Rosmadi Bin Fauzi Universiti Malaya
  • Daniel Friess Tulane University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i3.2026.13

Keywords:

Chin Swee Caves Temple, Cultural tourism, Genting highlands, Learning, SWOT analysis

Abstract

Cultural tourism development plays an important role in maintaining destination sustainability amid the dominance of modern entertainment tourism. Chin Swee Caves Temple in the Genting Highlands, Malaysia, represents a cultural and spiritual tourism destination characterized by distinctive architectural, historical, and religious values and has potential as a contextual learning resource. Previous studies on Genting Highlands have largely focused on entertainment tourism and economic development, while limited attention has been given to the integration of cultural tourism, spatial analysis, and educational functions. This study aims to analyze cultural tourism potential, identify GIS-based cultural tourism zoning, and formulate development strategies using SWOT analysis integrated with the educational role of the site. The research employed a mixed-method approach combining field observations, interviews, and documentation with spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Internal and external factors influencing tourism development were evaluated using IFAS and EFAS matrices. The findings show that Chin Swee Caves Temple is positioned in Quadrant I, indicating a growth-oriented strategy supported by strong internal factors and favorable external opportunities. Key strengths include accessibility, environmental comfort, strategic location, and the aesthetic and spiritual value of traditional Chinese architecture, while the main challenges relate to limited cultural interpretation, visitor safety management, local community involvement, and competition with modern tourism attractions. The novelty of this study lies in integrating GIS-based spatial zoning with SWOT strategic analysis to support cultural tourism development while positioning the site as a contextual learning resource for geography and social studies education.

References

Alam, A. S. A., Choy, E.-A., Begum, H., Alam, M. M., & Siwar, C. (2015). The factors of selecting Malaysia as tourist destination: Case study on the State of Melaka. Mahmudul and Siwar, Chamhuri, 491–498. Retrieved from https://ssrn.com/abstract=2942706

Fitriani, A. (2024). Kebijakan pengembangan obyek daya tarik wisata. FOKUS: Publikasi Ilmiah untuk Mahasiswa, Staf Pengajar dan Alumni Universitas Kapuas Sintang, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.51826/fokus.v22i1.1066

Franco, N. T., Sánchez, J. E. O., & López, E. R. A. (2022). Educational tourism: A theoretical review of the phenomenon. Journal of Administrative Science, 4(7), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.29057/jas.v4i7.8926

Hartaman, N., Wahyuni, W., Nasrullah, N., Has, Y., Hukmi, R. A., Hidayat, W., & Ikhsan, A. A. I. (2021). Strategi pemerintah dalam pengembangan wisata budaya dan kearifan lokal di Kabupaten Majene. Ganaya: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora, 4(2), 578–588. https://doi.org/10.37329/ganaya.v4i2.1334

Hua, A. K. (2018). Highlands sustainable development and tourist’s satisfaction: A grounded model study. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality & Culinary Arts, 10(2), 12–22. Retrieved from https://fhtm.uitm.edu.my/images/jthca/Vol10Issue2/Chap-2.pdf

Hue, G. T., & Choo, J. K. K. (2022). Connecting the Chinese diaspora: See Boon Tiong and his temple networks in Singapore and Malacca. Histories, 2(3), 241–258. https://doi.org/10.3390/histories2030019

Hue, G. T., Kui, W. K., Klan Choo, J. K., Josephine Fong, X. D., Dong, W., Dean, K., & Tai, H. C. (2023). The Malaysian historical geographical information system (MHGIS): The case of Chinese temples in Johor. Religions, 14(3), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14030336

Hussin, H. (2018). Branding Malaysia and re-positioning cultural heritage in tourism development. JATI-Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 75–92. https://doi.org/10.22452/jati.sp2018no1.6

Islam, Q. U., & Khozaei, F. (2021). Lumpur and Genting Highlands, Malaysia. In Renewable power for sustainable growth: Proceedings of International Conference on Renewal Power (ICRP 2020) (Vol. 723, p. 407). Springer Nature.

Khaksar, M. R., & Amir, E. (2023). The contribution of tourism to the economic growth of a country. International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 6(7). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijcsrr/V6-i7-107

Lee, M. Z., Kee, D. M. H., Chan, K. Y., Liow, C. S., Chin, K. Y., & Alkandri, L. A. (2020). Improving customer service: A case study of Genting Malaysia. Journal of the Community Development in Asia (JCDA), 3(1), 44–53. Retrieved from https://elibrary.ru/item.asp?id=76285017

Lin, Z., & Ang, M. F. (2025). Coexistence of tradition and modernity for cultural sustainability: The Teochew opera approach in Malaysia. Arts, 14(5), 110. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts14050110

Mei, Q. (2017). Constructing new meanings of Chinese architectural heritage in the world heritage sites of Malacca Straits. Built Heritage, 1(1), 26–35.

Mildawani, I., & Darmawan, D. (2023). Cultural character analysis on architectural elements of the Chinese temples’ buildings before the 19th century in Central Java. Humaniora, 14(3), 257–264. https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03545667

Nurhuda, A. (2023). Benchmarking and exploring educational tourism in Malaysia. Journal of English Language Teaching, Literature, and Culture, 2(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.21512/humaniora.v14i3.8061

Purnomo, A., & Aristin, N. F. (2022). Tourism from the perspective of geography. KnE Social Sciences, 154–163. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v7i16.12163

Rahmadani, F., & Ahmad, N. A. B. S. (2018). The tourist perceptions of Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sumatra Journal of Disaster, Geography and Geography Education, 2(2), 56–59. https://doi.org/10.24036/sjdgge.v2i2.167

Tang, C. F., & Tan, E. C. (2015). Does tourism effectively stimulate Malaysia’s economic growth? Tourism Management, 46, 158–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2014.06.020

Tomasi, S., Paviotti, G., & Cavicchi, A. (2020). Educational tourism and local development: The role of universities. Sustainability, 12(17), 6766. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12176766

Wang, Z. (2022). The dynamic process of syncretism: Datuk Gong worship in Malaysia. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 78(4). Retrieved from https://www.ajol.info/index.php/hts/article/view/247818

Zhao, K., & Hoon, C.-Y. (2024). Between national identity and transnational connections: The case of a Chinese temple in Brunei Darussalam. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 47(16), 3558–3579. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2024.2363534

Downloads

Published

19-03-2026

How to Cite

Ramadona, R. I., Hermon, D., Fauzi, R. B., & Friess, D. (2026). Cultural Tourism Development at Chin Swee Caves Temple, Genting Highlands: A GIS and SWOT-Based Learning Resource. Jurnal Pembelajaran, Bimbingan, Dan Pengelolaan Pendidikan, 6(3), 13. https://doi.org/10.17977/um065.v6.i3.2026.13

Issue

Section

Articles