Tourism in Kuala Lumpur: Attractions, Accommodation, and Economic Impact

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TOURISM IN KUALA LUMPUR
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Introduction
Kuala Lumpur was established in 1880 to replace the state capital, Selangor so that
residents and businesses could be safe from calamities such as floods and diseases following the
occurrence of such events in a mining center. Kuala Lumpur was curved out from the Selangor
State, however, in 1974, Kuala Lumpur got separated completely and given to Malaysia.
Types of tourism in Kuala Lumpur
Cultural tourism
Kuala Lumpur has a rich culture based on the national heritage (DBKL, 2018). This kind of
tourism fascinates travelers who are interested in this kind of tourism.
Medicinal tourism
Kuala Lumpur is also famous for its traditional and modern cures using herbs. The country also
takes pride in having some of the best doctors and medical facilities in the world encouraging
people from other parts of the world to visit Malaysia for medication.
Shopping tourism
Kuala Lumpur has many places designated for shopping purposes with items such as artifacts,
Malaysian clothing, and fashion all portraying Malaysia diversity and culture.
Types of accommodation in Kuala Lumpur
Hotels
Malaysia has experienced a boom in the hotel industry over the past few decades, with
more and more global companies staking claims, in particular, Kuala Lumpur (Smarter travel,

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2016). The Accor hotel dominates the industry and has brands in multiple price ranges with
Pullman and Ibis included. The InterContinental represents the IHG group while Sheraton and
Marriott also have a presence in Malaysia. A one-star hotel provides a room without air
conditioning, and people share a bathroom. Two stars have air conditioning and Wi-Fi, but still,
chances of sharing a bathroom are high. Three stars, on the other hand, have a TV, a phone, and
other special amenities. The four-star hotel, on the other hand, is spacious enough with more
amenities and services. Five-star hotels, on the other hand, are exceptional as they have 24-hour
room service, unique facilities such as spa and perks that include limo services.
Historical lodging
The range here is overwhelming as one can choose from the old colonial hotels to
boutique mansions in places such as George Town and Melaka (Smarter travel, 2016). There are
also shophouses which are ancient buildings that have storefronts on the ground floor and family
quarters upstairs.
Vacation rentals and serviced apartments
People that are more independent or like spending a lot of time in one place are favored
by a vacation rental. TripAdvisor and VRBO have listings that range from the basic rooms to
condos and beach villas (Smarter travel, 2016). iBilik a Malaysian listing agent has a database of
apartments and rentals on short-term.
Guesthouses and homestays
The terms guesthouse and homestay are used interchangeably in Malaysia, so it is
important that a tourist be specific in what is needed (Smarter travel, 2016). The Malaysian