International Music Festival - Main Attraction For Tourists To Pahang

Sungai Kuantan. photo: PelanconganKini

KUANTAN, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The International Music Festival to be held in Kuantan for the first time this April will be the main attraction for tourists to the state in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (TMM14).

The Festival which is on par with the Borneo Rainforest Music Festival will feature many local and overseas artistes and music lovers from around the world. Pahang Tourism Office director, Idros Yahya said the success of the Borneo Rainforest Music Festival held for the first time in Sarawak in 2005 has inspired them to organise a similar event.

"Through this festival, we will reveal the unique culture and local traditional music to tourists, thus giving them an opportunity to get to know how the locals live. "Apart from that, such a festival can be the meeting point for musicians from around the world, and a chance for them to exchange ideas about their respective cultures," he told reporters after a ceremony to celebrate the arrival of the first group of foreign tourists at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport (LTSAS) here, today.

At the event,a total of 110 tourists who flew by MAS from Kuala Lumpur and Fireflyz from Singapore were welcomed with state cultural performances at the arrival hall.

Meanwhile, the general manager of State Tourism, Ishak Mokhtar, who was also present at the event said, there were three programmes available in the state tourism calendar this year namely the Bird Programme at Fraser's Hill in June, followed by the national level Aidilfitri Celebrations and the Royal Billfish Challenge in Rompin. Many interesting tour packages will also be offered to attract tourists.

"In addition, the state tourism office will also introduce the 'Pahang Bicyclemania' event to be held in each district throughout the year," he said.

Meanwhile, a tourist from New Zealand, Robert Atkinson, 51, said Malaysia is one of his favourite places to visit because of the culture and its friendly people.

"I had visited Malaysia a few times and this is the second time I've come to Pahang. Malaysia is a beautiful country with a beautiful culture and the people are friendly. I've visited Sarawak before and overall this is a nice place to bring the family for a vacation," he added.
-bernama.