Taylor’s Triumphs with PATA Gold 2025: “Lenggong Valley Heritage Revival” Shines Bright

Taylor’s University extends its heartfelt congratulations to the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events, led by Dr. Thanam Subramaniam, Programme Director and Senior Lecturer, on being awarded the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2025 in the category of Best Cultural Heritage Preservation Initiative for the pioneering project “Lenggong Valley Heritage Revival.”

This prestigious accolade affirms the School’s steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism, cultural heritage preservation, and community empowerment. The project reimagines one of Southeast Asia’s most significant United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites as a vibrant and sustainable tourism destination, engaging 30 students from the Bachelor of International Tourism Management and the School of Media and Communication (Public Relations) in a multidisciplinary partnership.

In collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) Perak, the Lenggong District Council, local communities, tour guides, and the Taylor’s Sustainable Tourism Impact Lab, students devised innovative strategies to address challenges in infrastructure, visibility, and stakeholder engagement. Their efforts resulted in three key outcomes: 360-degree immersive digital storytelling, a sustainable community hub model, and the Lenggong Cultural Festival.

These initiatives safeguarded intangible cultural heritage, empowered local youth, and fostered inclusive economic growth, while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The project also delivered far-reaching benefits, policy partners gained access to VR-driven tourism tools, local residents became artisans, entrepreneurs, and cultural custodians, and students enhanced their employability, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to heritage preservation.

This achievement exemplifies Impact Lab learning in action, bringing together academia, industry, and community to co-create solutions with lasting impact.