Cultural landscapes mapping and Asnaf livelihood: a spatial analysis of Perlis

Cultural mapping is employed as a systematic tool to identify, record, and analyze community resources, providing a structured approach to understanding the cultural and historical assets of a region. In the context of Perlis, cultural mapping serves to document the existence of historical sites, cultural identities, and socio-cultural activities, which collectively form the foundation for promoting the states tourism sector. This study involved a total of 13 respondents, whose insights helped to capture the perspectives of the local community, particularly the Asnaf groups, regarding the significance of cultural heritage and its potential economic benefits. The outcomes of the cultural mapping process are recorded as valuable resources that can be leveraged by government bodies and relevant agencies to enhance tourism development and planning. Beyond their contribution to the tourism industry, these documented resources provide opportunities for local communities to engage in income-generating activities, thereby improving financial stability and resilience. By systematically identifying both existing and emerging cultural assets, this study demonstrates how cultural landscape mapping can function as a dual-purpose tool: supporting sustainable tourism while empowering marginalized groups such as the Asnaf community to participate actively in the local economy