Southern Johor has potential to be a tourist destination

Continuing to expand: Dr Ng (right) looking at one of the many Lego structures being constructed at the Legoland Model Building Centre in Nusa Cemerlang Industrial Park.

JOHOR BARU: Southern Johor is set to boom in terms of tourism with the opening of the Premium Outlets and Legoland Malaysia. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the two major tourism attractions in the state will be included in various promotional materials to tourists worldwide. “Southern Johor has big potential for tourism and we will look at how we can continue to expand here,” she said during a site tour to the Legoland Model Building Centre in Nusajaya recently.

Dr Ng said that the ministry especially, is hoping to work with Legoland to promote Malaysia through their five other theme parks worldwide. “We will try to include Legoland Malaysia in their brochures or start a special ‘passport’ where visitors can collect stamps when the visiting the different Legolands around the world,” she said.

She explained that other than that, the park would also be promoted during the Asean Tourism Forum which is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in 2014 as it also features a special cluster dedicated to Asean related structures. “This is one special feature in Legoland Malaysia and it will definitely be something to showcase during the forum,” she said. Dr Ng added that the ministry was in the midst of discussing special privileges for MyKad holders who want to visit Legoland Malaysia. “This may not necessarily relate to discounts in the entrance fee itself but it may be some other type of privilege for Malaysians,” she said.

Commenting on the attraction, Legoland Malaysia general manager Siegfried Boerst said that the park would also include interactive workshops where visitors will be able to create their own lego models and buildings. “We will also be providing short educational classes on Lego building which will make the experience both educational and entertaining as well,” he said adding that the park aimed to welcome about one million visitors in the first year.

-thestar online.