GIT Academy Principal Dr Kenny Khan (简敬谊) shared detailed, practical recommendations for improving Malaysia’s museums in a follow-up feature published by Nanyang Siang Pau (南洋商报), the second instalment of the outlet’s “New Museum Tourism” series.
Speaking in his capacity as Deputy President of the Malaysia-China Folklore Culture Tourism General Chamber of Commerce (MCCTA), Dr Khan identified three recurring complaints visitors raise about local museums: language barriers, with most signage in Malay and limited English or Chinese translation; a lack of engaging guided commentary, leaving many exhibits feeling like a self-guided reading exercise rather than a lively tour; and generally low interactivity, with static displays that are hard for visitors to immerse themselves in.
He also outlined five qualities he believes distinguish a museum genuinely worth visiting: a clear, memorable theme and narrative; an aesthetically considered, comfortable space with good visitor flow; genuine interactivity, including the thoughtful use of technology; multilingual accessibility that removes language barriers for international visitors; and meaningful cultural extensions such as gift shops, workshops or courses that let the experience continue beyond the exhibits themselves.
On the policy side, Dr Khan called for closer cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to jointly advance cultural tourism, alongside stronger government support for museums founded by private and non-profit initiatives. He further proposed formal collaboration between higher education institutions, cultural academic bodies and museums to drive content innovation and train future curators, as well as a coordinated regional museum network that links local heritage halls, thematic museums and community-run collections into a connected cultural trail for visitors, rather than leaving them as isolated, disconnected stops.
The feature also highlighted how grassroots, community-founded museums and heritage sites across Malaysia — from the Lim Lian Geok Memorial in Kuala Lumpur to the settlement museum in Sitiawan, Perak — have seen steadily growing visitor numbers in recent years, underscoring the genuine public appetite for deeper, more authentic cultural tourism experiences.
Dr Khan’s detailed, practical framework reflects the kind of industry expertise GIT Academy brings to its Tourist Guide Course — not just theoretical knowledge, but a genuine, hands-on understanding of what makes a heritage site work for real visitors.
Read the full feature (in Chinese) at e南洋 (Nanyang Siang Pau).
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