Kuala Lumpur, Nov 28 – Perak is revising its tourism promotion strategy for next year for better impact and in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014.
State Health, Tourism and Culture Committee Chairman Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi told Bernama the revision was not because the state lacked advertising and promotions for the sector, but because the strategy currently deployed was missing the mark.
“We need therefore to revise and improve on the advertising and promotions strategy, as well as undertake a re-branding exercise, to make Perak a premier tourist destination during Visit Malaysia Year 2014,” she said.
Nolee said Perak had spent much money to lure tourists to the state by organising signature, annual and in-house events, to showcase destinations.
Perak received more than five million visitors who generated an income of almost RM500 million during the Visit Perak Year 2012.
“I am of the opinion that Perak has a lot of tourism products to be marketed but lacks media exposure and the right strategy for advertising and promotions.
“I want the promotions to be stepped up to give Perak greater visibility, both at home and overseas,” she said.
Nolee also said Perak had received assistance of between RM60 million to RM80 million over the last three years from the Tourism Ministry to develop its basic infrastructure for tourism products.
Perak has sufficient accommodation to meet the demand of tourists to the state, with more options being made available in Ipoh.
“I believe the new convention centre being built alongside hotels, will help draw visitors to Ipoh and others parts of the state. We hope to particularly tap into the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) market,” she said.
Nolee said going forward, she expects the silver state to also prove an attraction for private investments, for tourism purposes.
“In the next few years, we are going to see big changes in Perak, and this includes collaboration with US-based DreamWorks.
“Construction of the DreamWorks theme park in Meru, near Ipoh, is ongoing and targeted for full completion by 2016,” she added.
– Bernama
