CULTURAL HERITAGE AND URBAN TOURISM IN HISTORIC CITIES: CASE STUDY OF MELAKA, MALAYSIA, AND ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE

Abstract

 This study analyses the sustainability of cultural heritage and urban tourism in historic cities. The study areas are Melaka, Malaysia and Istanbul, Turkiye, as both cities are rich in cultural heritage that attracts many tourists due to their historical significance. These cities face urban problems due to rapid population growth and economic development. Understanding the interaction between urban tourism development, cultural heritage preservation, and socio-cultural and economic repercussions on the cities may be learned through analysing cultural heritage and urban tourism in these cities. The objectives of this paper are; i) to analyse aspects of Melaka and Istanbul’s preservation of their cultural heritage, growth of their tourism industries and general urban tourism experiences, and ii) to conduct a comparative analysis of each city’s approach to cultural heritage and tourism. The method of this study is using reviews that include an analysis of texts on the history, philosophy, theory and concepts of cultural heritage and urban tourism in both sites. The findings of this study highlight Melaka’s and Istanbul’s strategic distribution and concentration of heritage attractions, effectively creating immersive urban heritage tourism experiences. Through character appraisals, these cities showcase the seamless integration of historical and contemporary elements, offering valuable insights into how distinct identities contribute to their success as vibrant tourism destinations.