From 9 to 11 April 2025, students from SEGi College Penang brought tourism education to life through the IPOH 3E: Eat, Explore, Experience trip—an experiential learning project that blended cultural immersion, environmental appreciation, and community engagement. Organised by Tour Planning and Design students, the three-day, two-night excursion to Ipoh allowed participants to translate classroom theory into practical tourism execution, reinforcing the importance of sustainability, planning, and real-world readiness.
The itinerary featured stops at iconic destinations such as Ipoh Old Town, Gunung Lang Recreational Park, Mirror Lake, Gaharu Tea Valley, and Gua Tempurung—each selected for its cultural, historical, and ecological value. These sites not only offered participants memorable experiences but also reflected the potential of sustainable tourism to educate travellers, preserve heritage, and stimulate local economies.
From curating itineraries to managing logistics on the ground, student organisers were fully immersed in every stage of the tourism product life cycle. The project aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education by offering hands-on learning that promoted critical thinking, communication, budgeting, and adaptability—key competencies for future professionals in Malaysia’s RM240 billion tourism industry.
The experience also underscored the importance of sustainable cities, as promoted by SDG 11. Ipoh’s status as a cultural and eco-tourism hotspot made it the ideal living classroom to explore how responsible tourism can enhance city life, preserve heritage, and protect natural resources for future generations.
Additionally, the project supported SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by engaging local guides, transport operators, and vendors, demonstrating how tourism—when done responsibly—can empower communities and support livelihoods. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, 1 in 10 jobs worldwide is linked to tourism, making the sector a vital contributor to sustainable development.
The IPOH 3E trip left a lasting impact not only on participants but also on the students who organised it. Positive feedback and smooth execution validated the professionalism, creativity, and resilience of the team, who are now better prepared to enter the tourism industry as ethical, innovative, and SDG-conscious professionals.
This event is organised in support of the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
