Sungai Pahang Rafting Expedition May Become Annual Event

BERA, May 13 (Bernama) - The Sungai Pahang International Rafting Expedition may be made an annual event in an effort to diversify the country's tourism products. Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D'cruz said his ministry will discuss with the Tourism Ministry so that the event can be held annually. "To make this happen, we plan to hold the rafting expedition over three consecutive years until 2013 to attract more participants especially foreigners," he said when closing Sungai Pahang International Rafting Expedition 2011 here Friday.

Some 300 participants from 38 teams representing government departments and agencies and institutions of higher learning joined the rafting expedition. D'Cruz said the five-day rafting expedition will spur culture-based tourism as it promotes culture and heritage. "Tourists are attracted to the arts, culture and heritage. Malaysia is rich in arts, culture and history," he added. Participants of the expedition had the opportunity to interact with the people and sample top spinning, silat, wayang pacak and cultural shows.

-Bernama.