Destination Management Through Stakeholders’ Collaborations

Abstract

In managing World Heritage Sites, collaborations among stakeholders are essential to concretise projects aimed at sustaining heritage preservation practices. The case of George Town World Heritage Site (GTWHS) in the State of Penang, Malaysia, is emblematic of this intricate set of partnerships and collaborations, which link civil society groups to government agencies. This study examines the role played by each group of stakeholders in creating and sustaining the winning coalitions and the long-term viability of projects in the context of heritage preservation. It uses a two-step analysis using Schmeer’s stakeholder analysis table and Eden & Ackermann’s Power/Interest grid to explore the ties between George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), the main body responsible for heritage management, and other governmental and civil society groups. Results show a dominant role of governmental and hybrid institutions in driving these collaborations and a lack of representation of the actual voice from residents and interest groups.