- Email: [email protected]
Imperial belvederes: The hill stations of Malaya
Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 22, No. 4, pp. 941-946, 1995 Elsevier Science Ltd. Printed in the USA
Pergamon
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
This Department publishes reviews of recent publications in or related to the study of tourism. Individuals interested in submitting review essays and book reviews should write directly to the Associate Editoifor Publications in Review, Stephen Smith (Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Universify of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada NZL 3GI). Tel. (519) 888-4045, Fax (519) 746-6776, email [email protected]. Unsolicited reviews will not be accepted.
l
Book Reviews
Imperial Belvederes: The Hill Stations of Malaya By S. Robert 58200 Kuala monochrome, 967-65-3037-g.
Aiken. Oxford University Press (19-25, Jalan Kuchai Lama, Lumpur, Malaysia), 1994, xi + 84 pp. (photos in color and maps, select bibliography, index) CAN $36.50 (hard). ISBN
Russell Arthur RAS Associates
Tourism
and Recreation
Planning,
Smith
Singapore
This small book details the development and operation of the mountain resorts, known as hill stations, of the former British colony of Malaya. Malaya is the west, peninsular component of what is now the Federation of Malaysia. In the words of the author, the “book describes the origins, and landscape characteristics of development, functional composition, Malaya’s hill stations and attempts . . to reveal how visitors to the hill stations passed their time. . . ” (p. viii). In addition, he provides the historical contextual framework for the creation and operation of a unique resort type that has operated in Malaysia for around 200 years. Hill stations were initially developed as sanatoria for colonists living in hot humid climates. They were not uniquely British institutions or confined solely to Malaya. There were hill stations in British India and Dutch Java, among other places. The development of hill stations echoed that of seaside resorts in England and Wales, where the primary impetus for development was also medical (Walton 1983). As with the seaside resorts, recreational functions were soon added and in time these became the dominant attraction. The hill stations were significant tourism destinations in the tropics during colonial times. Their prime development advantage was the drop in temperature with increase in altitude. Many hill station bungalows boasted fireplaces and blankets on their beds. Staying overnight in hill bungalows was a thrill in itself: to be cool and away from the pervasive sticky heat of the lowlands. 941
PUBLICATIONS
942
IN REVIEW
Hill stations were constructed, wherever possible, near the larger colonial settlements. One significant limitation on development was access. Initially, people walked up the hills or, if too young or too old or ill, transport was provided by sedan chair or hill ponies. Subsequently, in the twentieth century, mechanized transport - railways and motor cars on metalled roads-improved accessibility. As a result, the popularity of the hill stations increased. Another development limitation was availability of elevated sites for bungalows. The hills of Malaya typically had steep slopes and highly erodable soils. Construction sites with a low slope and inherent stability were not always easy to locate. Perhaps for this reason, many of the Malayan hill stations were not as intensely developed as some of those of British India. The book is well set out, commencing with an informative preface and a concise summary of the concept of the hill station in colonial times. These sections are followed by a detailed discussion on the evolution of Penang Hill, on the island of Penang, over a period of one and half centuries. Historically, this is an important hill station as its origin, in the late 18th century, predates the Indian hill stations. Also, Penang Hill set the pattern for the other Mayalan hill stations. Today, Penang Hill is, physically, still very much as it was at the end of British colonial era. It remains a tourism destination and a major recreational venue for the residents of the nearby city of Georgetown. Subsequent chapters describe the British involvement in Malaya and the development of mainland hill stations, including Maxwell’s Hill, Fraser’s Hill, the Cameron Highlands, and other minor resorts. The last two chapters deal with the physical elements of development bungalows and their gardens, as well as their use. This covers the social life of the hill stations, which is a fascinating account of leisure in the hills: walks, horse rides, pursuits in natural history, tennis, tea and conversation. Interestingly, these descriptions are generally still applicable today in some locations. The author also highlights the social and economic structure of the hill stations. A small European elite controlled land, labor, and capital, and was supported by Asian cultural groups. This hill station system describes the colonial socioeconomic structure in cameo. The book is part of the Images in Asia series which tends to focus on the historical, cultural, and natural aspects of the region. Some other titles in this series are Old Jakarta, Burmese Puppets, and Gardens and Parks of Singapore. The series has a standard format and size for its books, which must limit authors when they address diverse topics. Robert Aiken, however, writes with ease within these constraints and does so splendidly. While it is not within the scope of the series, the author manages to squeeze in a short two-page epilogue on the contemporary situation of Malaya’s hill stations. He rightly notes the threats to some of these historical places, posed by over-eager private and public developers who propose large-scale redevelopment. Fortunately, Penang Hill may have been spared this fate. This reviewer was part of a government-led study to prepare an environmental plan for Penang Hill to limit and regulate future development. The book is well-illustrated with delightful photographs, many in color, and maps. For a small book, the bibliography is extensive and the index is useful. It is a great book for the serious student of history as well as the tourist ascending one of these hill stations and wanting a real feel for the historic place. 0 0 Russell Arthur Smith: [email protected].
25 Jalan
Datoh
#05-27,
Singapore
329418,
Republic
of
Singapore;
email
PUBLICATIONS
943
IN REVIEW
REFERENCES Walton, John K. 1983 The English Seaside Resort: Leicester University Press.
A Social History
1750-1914.
Leicester:
Assigned 23 August 1994 Submitted 22 December 1994 Accepted 16 January 1995
Indexing and Abstracting
Services for Tourism Keith Dewar Valerie Cohen Massey University, New Zealand
Tourism and hospitality share the fate of other interdisciplinary subjects in having pertinent literature scattered over a wide spectrum of fields. No matter how carefully one searches, it is impossible to find all the data on a particular subject. Indexing and abstracting services, however, provide an effective way of finding the ,majority of the desired literature. The nature of tourism and hospitality can still make the search long and inefficient if sources are not consulted in a systematic way. The act of finding material is being further complicated by the addition of a myriad of new computer CD-ROM and online databases. The 1992 CD-ROM Collection Builder’s Toolkit (Nicholls 1992), for example, lists nearly 2000 indexes. A search of databases available at Massey University identified 60 that listed the subjects travel and tourism. Few had less than 8,000 entries. The approach taken here is to provide an example search patter that allows for the widest possible coverage with as little redundancy as possible. To do this, the indexes are divided into four sub-groups: tourism and hospitality, general indexes, peripheral indexes, and multiple index systems. Al prices are in US dollars. Tourism and Hospitality
Indexes
The indexes of greatest value to the tourism and hospitality educator are those that specifically target journals dedicated to the discipline. The two indexes listed below are considered by the authors to be the most useful for and used by academics and students. Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Abstract (LRTA).
Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International (Dartington House, Little Clarendon Street, Oxford OX1 2HH, United Kingdom), updates quarterly, $120/yr. ISBN: 0261-1392. This is the only indexing and abstracting service devoted entirely to tourism-related literature. The abstracts are arranged under six broad subject areas: leisure, recreation, and tourism; natural resources; tourism; and home and neighborhood activities, with subheadings for more specific access under each. Access is via author and subject indexes. A cumulative annual index of authors and subjects completes each volume. While access to journal title is not provided, each issue does provide a list
Pergamon
PUBLICATIONS
IN REVIEW
This Department publishes reviews of recent publications in or related to the study of tourism. Individuals interested in submitting review essays and book reviews should write directly to the Associate Editoifor Publications in Review, Stephen Smith (Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Universify of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada NZL 3GI). Tel. (519) 888-4045, Fax (519) 746-6776, email [email protected]. Unsolicited reviews will not be accepted.
l
Book Reviews
Imperial Belvederes: The Hill Stations of Malaya By S. Robert 58200 Kuala monochrome, 967-65-3037-g.
Aiken. Oxford University Press (19-25, Jalan Kuchai Lama, Lumpur, Malaysia), 1994, xi + 84 pp. (photos in color and maps, select bibliography, index) CAN $36.50 (hard). ISBN
Russell Arthur RAS Associates
Tourism
and Recreation
Planning,
Smith
Singapore
This small book details the development and operation of the mountain resorts, known as hill stations, of the former British colony of Malaya. Malaya is the west, peninsular component of what is now the Federation of Malaysia. In the words of the author, the “book describes the origins, and landscape characteristics of development, functional composition, Malaya’s hill stations and attempts . . to reveal how visitors to the hill stations passed their time. . . ” (p. viii). In addition, he provides the historical contextual framework for the creation and operation of a unique resort type that has operated in Malaysia for around 200 years. Hill stations were initially developed as sanatoria for colonists living in hot humid climates. They were not uniquely British institutions or confined solely to Malaya. There were hill stations in British India and Dutch Java, among other places. The development of hill stations echoed that of seaside resorts in England and Wales, where the primary impetus for development was also medical (Walton 1983). As with the seaside resorts, recreational functions were soon added and in time these became the dominant attraction. The hill stations were significant tourism destinations in the tropics during colonial times. Their prime development advantage was the drop in temperature with increase in altitude. Many hill station bungalows boasted fireplaces and blankets on their beds. Staying overnight in hill bungalows was a thrill in itself: to be cool and away from the pervasive sticky heat of the lowlands. 941
PUBLICATIONS
942
IN REVIEW
Hill stations were constructed, wherever possible, near the larger colonial settlements. One significant limitation on development was access. Initially, people walked up the hills or, if too young or too old or ill, transport was provided by sedan chair or hill ponies. Subsequently, in the twentieth century, mechanized transport - railways and motor cars on metalled roads-improved accessibility. As a result, the popularity of the hill stations increased. Another development limitation was availability of elevated sites for bungalows. The hills of Malaya typically had steep slopes and highly erodable soils. Construction sites with a low slope and inherent stability were not always easy to locate. Perhaps for this reason, many of the Malayan hill stations were not as intensely developed as some of those of British India. The book is well set out, commencing with an informative preface and a concise summary of the concept of the hill station in colonial times. These sections are followed by a detailed discussion on the evolution of Penang Hill, on the island of Penang, over a period of one and half centuries. Historically, this is an important hill station as its origin, in the late 18th century, predates the Indian hill stations. Also, Penang Hill set the pattern for the other Mayalan hill stations. Today, Penang Hill is, physically, still very much as it was at the end of British colonial era. It remains a tourism destination and a major recreational venue for the residents of the nearby city of Georgetown. Subsequent chapters describe the British involvement in Malaya and the development of mainland hill stations, including Maxwell’s Hill, Fraser’s Hill, the Cameron Highlands, and other minor resorts. The last two chapters deal with the physical elements of development bungalows and their gardens, as well as their use. This covers the social life of the hill stations, which is a fascinating account of leisure in the hills: walks, horse rides, pursuits in natural history, tennis, tea and conversation. Interestingly, these descriptions are generally still applicable today in some locations. The author also highlights the social and economic structure of the hill stations. A small European elite controlled land, labor, and capital, and was supported by Asian cultural groups. This hill station system describes the colonial socioeconomic structure in cameo. The book is part of the Images in Asia series which tends to focus on the historical, cultural, and natural aspects of the region. Some other titles in this series are Old Jakarta, Burmese Puppets, and Gardens and Parks of Singapore. The series has a standard format and size for its books, which must limit authors when they address diverse topics. Robert Aiken, however, writes with ease within these constraints and does so splendidly. While it is not within the scope of the series, the author manages to squeeze in a short two-page epilogue on the contemporary situation of Malaya’s hill stations. He rightly notes the threats to some of these historical places, posed by over-eager private and public developers who propose large-scale redevelopment. Fortunately, Penang Hill may have been spared this fate. This reviewer was part of a government-led study to prepare an environmental plan for Penang Hill to limit and regulate future development. The book is well-illustrated with delightful photographs, many in color, and maps. For a small book, the bibliography is extensive and the index is useful. It is a great book for the serious student of history as well as the tourist ascending one of these hill stations and wanting a real feel for the historic place. 0 0 Russell Arthur Smith: [email protected].
25 Jalan
Datoh
#05-27,
Singapore
329418,
Republic
of
Singapore;
PUBLICATIONS
943
IN REVIEW
REFERENCES Walton, John K. 1983 The English Seaside Resort: Leicester University Press.
A Social History
1750-1914.
Leicester:
Assigned 23 August 1994 Submitted 22 December 1994 Accepted 16 January 1995
Indexing and Abstracting
Services for Tourism Keith Dewar Valerie Cohen Massey University, New Zealand
Tourism and hospitality share the fate of other interdisciplinary subjects in having pertinent literature scattered over a wide spectrum of fields. No matter how carefully one searches, it is impossible to find all the data on a particular subject. Indexing and abstracting services, however, provide an effective way of finding the ,majority of the desired literature. The nature of tourism and hospitality can still make the search long and inefficient if sources are not consulted in a systematic way. The act of finding material is being further complicated by the addition of a myriad of new computer CD-ROM and online databases. The 1992 CD-ROM Collection Builder’s Toolkit (Nicholls 1992), for example, lists nearly 2000 indexes. A search of databases available at Massey University identified 60 that listed the subjects travel and tourism. Few had less than 8,000 entries. The approach taken here is to provide an example search patter that allows for the widest possible coverage with as little redundancy as possible. To do this, the indexes are divided into four sub-groups: tourism and hospitality, general indexes, peripheral indexes, and multiple index systems. Al prices are in US dollars. Tourism and Hospitality
Indexes
The indexes of greatest value to the tourism and hospitality educator are those that specifically target journals dedicated to the discipline. The two indexes listed below are considered by the authors to be the most useful for and used by academics and students. Leisure, Recreation and Tourism Abstract (LRTA).
Center for Agriculture and Biosciences International (Dartington House, Little Clarendon Street, Oxford OX1 2HH, United Kingdom), updates quarterly, $120/yr. ISBN: 0261-1392. This is the only indexing and abstracting service devoted entirely to tourism-related literature. The abstracts are arranged under six broad subject areas: leisure, recreation, and tourism; natural resources; tourism; and home and neighborhood activities, with subheadings for more specific access under each. Access is via author and subject indexes. A cumulative annual index of authors and subjects completes each volume. While access to journal title is not provided, each issue does provide a list