Develop Strong Art Tourism, Make Malaysian Art Iconic, SaysMuhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- The people must lend their support to make Malaysian art an iconic product which is desired, pursued and collected worldwide, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Saturday. To truly develop its potential in art tourism and enhance its global appeal, the country's art and cultural products must be strong, he said. Noting that the country must look into the arts and cultural offerings which locals and foreigners clamoured for, he said today's traveller wanted the industry's offering to be fresh, new and exciting. Such a traveller, Muhyiddin said, was not only looking for destinations but also experiences.

"However, such responsibility should not be left entirely to the government but also the private sector which should lend its hand to achieve this goal. "Malaysians, the artists involved, art galleries, art promoters, art critics and art lovers and collectors, need to grow upon this base to lend their support to making Malaysian art an iconic product that is desired, pursued and collected worldwide," added the deputy prime minister. Muhyiddin was speaking at the launch of the inaugural three-month 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism (MCAT) Festival at Galeria Sri Perdana here.

On the event, Muhyiddin said it was in line with the government's target in promoting differentiated strategies to cater for unique and the distinctive high-yield travellers. He expressed confidence that with the creation of more meaningful and high value products, coupled with excellent service quality, the industry would be able to attract a greater number of tourists willing to pay a premium price for first-rate experience in the country. "I believe the tourism industry has the potential to play a much more prominent role in the economy's growth. "By creating new and innovative tourism products such as MCAT, the nation's profile could be boosted as a top tourist destination, and simultaneously, contribute towards its economic growth.

Tourism has been identified as one of the 12 potential National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs). The government also targets to increase the sector's contribution by 2.1 times and provide some two million jobs in the industry by 2015. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who was also present, said art tourism was identified as a high-yield product and would be promoted as a structured event in the tourism annual calender, beginning this year. As such, she said, festivals on arts would be held between July and September annually, in major cities across the country.

Later, speaking to reporters, Dr Ng said the ministry was planning to work with the information communication and culture ministry to transform the facade of Galeria Sri Perdana into a permanent exhibition for future art exhibitions. At the event, Muhyiddin also launched three public taxis to promote MCAT.