JTF 2011 Adopts 'Know Your Country First' Theme

JOHOR BAHARU, May 5 (Bernama) - Promoting local tourism - that's the theme for the inaugural Johor Travel Fair (JTF) 2011 to be held at the Sutera Mall here from May 6-8. Johor State Executive Councilor for Tourism and Environment Committee Hoo Seong Chang is scheduled to be the guest of honour at the three-day fair which will see a total of 60 exhibition booths representing travel agents, airlines, hotels and tourist promotion boards. Corporations like the Malacca Tourism Promotion Division, the Langkawi Development Authority and the Johor Tourism Department will be represented at the JTF 2011. Low cost carrier, Firefly, which is expected to make the Senai Airport their southern hub will also be represented at the JTF 2011.

Speaking on the eve of the JTF 2011, the Johor Tourism Department Director Dr Shaari Mohd Nooh said that promoting domestic tourism should be the priority. "Maybe it's time we take a look at what Malaysia has to offer in terms of tourism product and attraction. What more with the nuclear scare in Japan after the earthquake and tsunami and the surrounding areas and also the extra fuel surcharge on overseas travel, domestic tourism could be a better alternative," said Dr Shaari. A spokesman for the organiser, Tuah Saujana Venture, said that the JTF 2011 was a collaboration between the various tourism authorities in the state with the aim of promoting local tourism. "Johor has always been a popular destination for local tourism and we see more exciting times ahead. What more with the expected opening of the world class Legoland Theme Park in Nusajaya next year. "In fact, there are great plans by the State Tourism Department to add more packages to promote local tourism and bring more visitors to Johor.

The three-day Fair will provide locals who intend to travel domestically for their holidays, a chance to seize some bargains. Popular local destinations like Malacca and Pulau Langkawi will have their presence at the Fair," he said. According to Johor Tourism Department, a total of 16.5 million tourists visited the state last year and the figures are expected to increase this year since for the first three months of 2011, 3.9 million arrivals have been registered - an increase of almost half a million as compared with the same period last year.
-Bernama.