APU’s School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) students recently embarked on an educational expedition across Perak, exploring Gua Tempurung, Kellie’s Castle, Kampung Kacang Puteh, and Ipoh City, exposing them to adventure tourism, heritage management, community-based enterprises, and urban travel logistics.

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Students from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Global Hospitality and Tourism (SoGHT) endured an unforgettable adventure and diving headfirst into limestone caves and heritage hotspots across Ipoh, Perak.

Guided by Senior Lecturer and Project Advisor, Ms Siti Fariza Muhamad Amin alongside student Project Leader, Md Sakib Mia, the delegation set off on an intensive one-day excursion designed to bridge academic concepts with real-world travel operations.

Accompanied by faculty evaluators Dr Ravindra Kumar Perumal, Dr Munieleswar Raju, and Mr Mohamad Imaduddin Zainal Abidin, the trip challenged students to plan, execute, and evaluate every operational facet of a multi-destination itinerary.

The action kicked off at Gua Tempurung, one of Peninsular Malaysia’s largest and most breathtaking limestone cave systems. 

Following a thorough safety briefing by professional rangers, the students ventured into the cavernous depths to experience adventure tourism management from the inside out.
 

Navigating rugged terrain and subterranean chambers gave the cohort practical insights into visitor safety, crowd control, and nature conservation. For many, the physical challenge proved to be a powerful moment of personal growth.

“Exploring Gua Tempurung pushed me far out of my comfort zone,” reflected student Martha Kemilembe Mihayo. 

“Although it was physically demanding, finishing the journey built my confidence and reminded me how much we grow by trying new things.”

Md Sakib Mia agreed, noting that overseeing the expedition built personal resilience, whilst Ruiqi Lee Ruey Qi highlighted the importance of calm leadership under pressure and strict adherence to safety protocols.

Emerging from the caves, the journey shifted from natural wonders to historical intrigue at Kellie’s Castle in Batu Gajah. 

The legendary unfinished mansion provided a live case study in heritage tourism and destination branding.

Students explored the mansion’s distinctive Scottish-Moorish architecture whilst analysing how historical narratives are packaged for modern visitors. 

The stop offered valuable perspective on balancing heritage preservation with commercial appeal — a crucial lesson in destination management.

No journey through Perak is complete without experiencing its rich culinary ecosystem. At Kampung Kacang Puteh, the group explored community-based tourism in action.

Interacting with local small-business operators who produce traditional snacks, the group observed how grassroots micro-enterprises contribute directly to the broader tourism value chain. 

The stop underscored the power of gastronomic tourism in preserving cultural identity whilst driving local economic growth.

The final leg brought the delegation into the heart of Ipoh City, where heritage shop lots seamlessly blend with modern urban life. Students evaluated city tourist flows, infrastructure integration, and destination marketing strategies across a bustling urban environment.

Student Amirah Balqis Haitham shared that the hands-on exposure provided practical skills in itinerary planning, budgeting, and tour coordination that would directly benefit her future career in hospitality.

Beyond mastering operational logistics and itinerary management, the expedition fostered crucial soft skills — from crisis management and team communication to leadership under pressure.

By combining adventure, heritage, culture, and urban planning into a single seamless excursion, APU’s SoGHT strengthened its Hospitality and Tourism students’ practical skills through industry-ready education, preparing the next generation of hospitality leaders to navigate the global tourism industry with confidence and purpose.