Historic city or funfair?

I AM writing in to bemoan the current state of tourism in Melaka. My parents and my family currently live in the heritage area of Melaka where we run a tourism-related business. We have lived here for over six years now and we have seen how over-commercialisation has changed this historic area for the worse.

I recently showed my friend, who was visiting Melaka for the first time, around the historical area. We walked from the A Famosa fort up to St Paul’s hill and saw a row of stalls selling souvenirs lined up the staircase with some even placed just outside St Paul’s church. Walking down to the area commonly known as Dutch Square, we saw the lower floor of the Stadthuys building lined with more shops.