Why this 4000-person WA farming town has become a hit with Malaysian tourists

Why this 4000-person WA farming town has become a hit with Malaysian tourists
Sofia Geraghty
By Sofia Geraghty


The small Western Australian town of Katanning has become an unlikely hit with Malaysian tourists after a YouTube video featuring the settlement has amassed nearly 1 million viewers.

Katanning, which has a population of just 4000-5000 people, is about 300km from Perth and is known as one of Australia’s most multicultural towns: the last census showed that 50 different languages are spoken in the town.

Malaysian Youtuber Saiful Nang became enchanted with the multiculturalism of Katanning after visiting the town a dozen times. He even went on to say that Malay culture was more apparent in Katanning than it is in modern Malaysia.

Keen to share the diversity and Malay values of Katanning, Nang made a 41-minute video showcasing the Maylasian community of the town. It has been a roaring success with nearly 1 million people tuning in to watch.

“The culture to live and to have a great cooperation between the neighbours is not so much existent [in Malaysia] right now,” Nang is quoted in ABC as saying.

“We have to go to Katanning to embrace our own Malay culture where people work together hand in hand.

“If I go to Katanning, I feel like I just go back to my hometown 40 years ago.”

Since the video has been posted, tourists have noticed a significant uptick in Maylasian tourists visiting the town. Nang himself brought as many as 60 students from his videography academy to Katanning. The trip was such a success that the YouTuber has said he is planning to do the same again next year.

Shire president Kristy D’Aprile said the town’s Mosque was a particular point of attraction for local tourists.

“I think visitors being able to see a mosque in such a rural setting is really unique and special,” she said.

“We’ve certainly noticed there’s a lot more organised tourism happening in Katanning, so it’s great to see groups of people visiting our very special places,” she continued.

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