Focus on improving tourism services

Muhammad Jailani with the medal awaiting the winner in the run during Melaka Fiesta 2018.

— Bernama

MELAKA: Visit Melaka Year (VMY) 2019 promotion is focusing more on improving services in the state’s tourism sector and developing new products in efforts to attract about 20 million tourists next year.

Tourism, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Muhamad Jailani Khamis said this would also involve the upgrading of existing facilities, including public toilets for the comfort and satisfaction of tourists, besides protecting the image of the Unesco World Heritage Site.

“The Pakatan Harapan-led state government is currently operating in a situation of financial constraints since taking over from the previous government. However, it is not the main problem for us to make VMY 2019 a success or to promote it well.

“One of our promotional efforts is putting up VMJY 2019 billboards in various parts of the city soon,” he said at a news conference on the Melaka Fiesta 2018 and VMY 2019 here.

Muhammad Jailani said among the state’s tourism products to be upgraded were the Melaka River Cruise tourist boat service and Menara Taming Sari, besides organising activities such as arts and cultural events at Hang Tuah Village.

On the nine-day Melaka Fiesta 2018 from Dec 23 to be held in Jalan Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, here, he said it was expected to draw about seven million domestic and foreign tourists.

“Melaka Fiesta 2018 themed, ‘Melaka The Gateway to Historic Malaysia’, is the highlight of the VMY 2019 launch beginning Jan 1 with several programmes and activities organised and involving the participation of various communities,” he said.

Among the events are the Fabulous Melaka Photography Contest, Melaka Vendor Festival, traditional games, Dondang Sayang performance, Melaka Fiesta Run and Arm Wrestling competition.

Muhammad Jailani said in conjunction with the VMY 2019 launch, the state government would also be launching the Tourism Calendar of Events 2019 at the Menara Taming Sari grounds on Dec 31, to facilitate domestic and foreign tourists’ travel plans to Melaka.

-Bernama/thestar.