Yen Yen: Use art to attract tourists

LANGKAWI: Tourism players should tap into the popularity of Malaysian art, which has created waves in the international art scene, and incorporate it into their tour packages.


Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said they should take advantage of the no tax policy on the sale of art pieces, and work together with local artists to promote Malaysian art. “The 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism (1MCAT) Festival, which is into its third year this year, is proof that Malaysian art can be sold' as a tourist attraction.

Master strokes: Dr Ng along with ministry officials and hoteliers using brushes to complete an oil painting at the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival in Langkawi Sunday.

“During last year's 1MCAT auction, Abdul Latiff Mohidin's painting Pago Pago sold for RM572,000 and this year's painting by the late Datuk Ibrahim Hussein, Red, Orange and Core, fetched RM800,000,” she told reporters after launching the 1MCAT Festival 2012 at a hotel here yesterday.


Dr Ng said the Tourism Ministry has prepared thousands of catalogues with a list of 54 art galleries to be placed at various hotels nationwide, adding that the three month-long festival is being held all over the country.


“For the first time this year, selected homestay premises are also taking part in the 1MCAT festival. “Tourists will be able to stay in traditional kampung houses and at the same time take part in art activities held at the village,” she said.
-thestar online.


Pelancongankini: The 1MCAT Festival Langkawi is being held at Four Points by Sheraton Resort, Langkawi from July to September 2012.