TOURISM Malaysia sees dark tourism as a special-interest segment within Malaysia’s wider cultural, heritage and educational tourism portfolio, as it continues to highlight the country’s diverse tourism offerings.
Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Promotion II) Samuel Lee Thai Hung tells Sunday Star that there is potential to strengthen existing heritage trails through digital interpretation, curated historical itineraries, self-guided experiences and technology- enabled storytelling, where appropriate.
He says that in line with the Visit Malaysia 2026-2027 campaign, Tourism Malaysia will continue to highlight the country’s diverse tourism offerings, including unique cultural, heritage and experiential products, to encourage visitors to discover different facets of the country while promoting meaningful and responsible tourism experiences.
“The focus should be on preserving historical narratives, educating visitors and generating local economic opportunities.
“Community-based tourism and established heritage itineraries can also help extend visitor stays and spread tourism benefits while maintaining the dignity and integrity of the sites.
“Moving forward, the priority should be to preserve historical integrity while making these stories more accessible and meaningful to domestic and international visitors.
“This approach also supports Tourism Malaysia’s broader objective of diversifying Malaysia’s tourism offerings and encouraging visitors to explore destinations beyond conventional tourism products and destinations.”
Current development of the segment
In Malaysia, dark tourism can be viewed as responsible visitation to sites associated with conflict, tragedy, loss and historical events, with an emphasis on education, remembrance and cultural understanding.
“Tourism Malaysia recognises the potential of dark tourism as a niche travel segment. With the rising global interest in heritage tourism and immersive historical experiences, dark tourism offers a unique way to engage visitors with Malaysia’s rich and complex past.
“Beyond just ghost stories and abandoned sites, dark tourism in Malaysia can serve as an educational and reflective experience, allowing visitors to explore historical events such as the colonial struggles and wartime conflicts.
“By promoting these sites responsibly, Malaysia can enhance its tourism offerings while preserving historical narratives for future generations,” Lee says.
On ensuring a balanced approach to promotion without sensationalising tragedies, Tourism Malaysia promotes these destinations through a heritage and educational perspective, with an emphasis on historical facts, remembrance and preservation.
“Content and promotional materials should avoid sensationalising tragedy and instead highlight the historical significance, human stories, cultural sensitivity and respect for victims, communities and heritage context of each site.
“Where relevant, Tourism Malaysia works with the respective heritage authorities, site operators, local authorities, historians, cultural experts and local communities to ensure appropriate presentation and visitor experiences,” he adds.
Where the greatest potential lies
When asked about the country’s most significant dark tourism destinations, Lee lists the Penang War Museum; Kundasang War Memorial, Sabah; Taiping War Cemetery, Perak; Bukit Kepong, Johor; Kellie’s Castle in Batu Gajah, Perak; Sandakan Memorial Park, Sabah; and Malaysia Prison Museum in Banda Hilir, Melaka.
There are also other sites associated with Malaysia’s wartime and colonial history.
“Beyond their historical value, these sites offer opportunities for visitors to understand human resilience, sacrifice, multicultural heritage and Malaysia’s historical connections with the international community.
“The focus is on meaningful historical experiences rather than simply visiting a site associated with tragedy.”
Lee points out that Malay-sia’s strength lies in the diversity of stories within a relatively compact destination, spanning wartime history, colonial heritage, archaeological sites, memorials and cultural narratives.
He says one common misconception is that dark tourism is primarily about ghost stories, haunted places, paranormal activities or sensational experiences.
“In Malaysia, the concept can extend much further to include war history, memorials, former institutions, archaeological sites, colonial heritage and places associated with significant historical events.”
He stresses that the emphasis should be on understanding and reflecting on the past, rather than simply seeking an “eerie” experience.
Compared with other countries, Lee says Malaysia can differentiate itself through stories of multicultural resilience and shared experiences during periods of conflict and occupation.
“These can be developed into thematic heritage trails and immersive storytelling experiences, rather than positioning Malaysia solely around the ‘dark’ or supernatural aspect.
“Tourism Malaysia has already supported the development of archaeological and heritage packages, including 52 packages involving Lembah Bujang, Sungai Batu, George Town and Jerai Geopark, demonstrating the potential for deeper heritage-based itineraries.”
At the same time, Lee highlights the potential in combining WWII history, rainforest landscapes and heritage trails, particularly in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, with archaeological sites such as Lembah Bujang, former institutions and prisons, and sites associated with major historical events.
“This also includes former penal institutions and historic sites that have been adaptively redeveloped, such as Kota Jail [Ayer Molek] in Johor Baru and the former Pudu Jail site in Kuala Lumpur, now part of BBCC and LaLaport,” he said, referring to the Bukit Bintang City Centre and Lalaport, the Japanese-themed lifestyle shopping mall that anchors the BBCC development.
“These sites demonstrate how historical spaces can be repurposed for modern cultural, arts and lifestyle uses while preserving their historical significance.
“Meanwhile, the Sandakan-Ranau Death March offers a distinctive combination of historical remembrance and challenging rainforest terrain.”
Maintaining the tourism ecosystem
Touching on guidelines, policies and collaborations between Tourism Malaysia and site operators to ensure dark tourism destinations maintain historical accuracy, cultural sensitivity and visitor safety, Lee says heritage sites are subject to the relevant heritage laws and conservation frameworks, including the National Heritage Act 2005 for gazetted national heritage.
“The National Heritage Department is responsible for functions, including heritage registration, conservation, preservation, promotion and monitoring.
“From Tourism Malaysia’s side, collaboration with relevant authorities, state tourism organisations, site operators and industry players is important to ensure these destinations are promoted accurately, responsibly and appropriately.”
