We all pass though Mersing town on our way to Batu Batu, and the other beautiful islands off the coast, but how many of us actually stop to explore the little sleepy town? It is well known amongst locals that the town centre generally is largely overlooked by tourists who merely transit through the passenger jetty without spending any time in the town.

When the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to tourism in March 2020, our little sister KakakTua Guesthouse, Think City Johor Bahru and Majlis Daerah Mersing conducted a study to map and identify Mersing Town Centre’s cultural and bio-assets , engage with community to identify their attitudes and feelings toward Mersing as a place, and to identify recovery strategies for Mersing’s tourism sector post-pandemic.

Results of the exercise showed that Mersing people love their town, and largely enjoy welcoming visitors. The local community value their laid-back and peaceful way of life and the relaxed vibe of their beachside town. While many appreciate and understand the importance of tourism to the community, they also want this vibe to be preserved.

Interviews with community showed that Mersing locals are agile, innovative and versatile - creating resilience in the small community that weathers the monsoons every year. They value their families and loved ones, and would like the younger generation to be given the opportunities to stay in the area.

This hope led the team to recommend that Mersing pursue a strategy of sustainable tourism in order to preserve the area’s beautiful natural assets so that tourists can continue to visit and provide sustainable livelihoods for generations to come. This was particularly poignant in light of Mersing’s past which has seen various primary industries come and go as natural assets depleted (tin mining, logging, fishing).

The study strongly recommended that Mersing be preserved as an authentically Malaysian coastal town thriving alongside lush and beautiful nature. The warmth and hospitality of the local people can be showcased through community-led tourism by providing natural and authentic cultural experiences for tourists whilst preserving biodiversity and supporting communities. The study also recommended that the old Mersing town centre be preserved, and economic diversity beyond tourism maintained so that the town remains resilient.

This study was undertaken by KakakTua Guesthouse, Coffee & Community Space in Mersing town as part of our endeavour to keep developing tourism that supports local ecosystems and communities. Do drop by for coffee or cake or to stay the night with us and explore local life. More info. on https://www.kakaktua-mersing.com and Mersing town in this KakakTua Mersing Guide.