'This Is Pahang' set to revive state's tourism industry

 

KUANTAN: The Pahang government has embarked on a new initiative to attract local holidaymakers in a bid to revive the state's tourism industry which experienced a gloomy year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail expressed confidence that its tourism rebranding exercise themed "This Is Pahang" would position the state as a top destination in the post-pandemic era.

He said the move to pick "This Is Pahang" to replace the previous theme "Pahang Simply Awesome" which was used since 2019, would be a breath of fresh air for the industry players to step up their campaigns and promotional activities under the new normal.

"Since the pandemic hit the country last year, the tourism sector has been badly hit and as a responsible state government, we need to look into suitable measures to assist tourism operators who lost their source of income and help boost the state's economy.

"Last year, we (Pahang) only recorded 7.43 million in tourist arrival compared to 13.99 million in 2019. The major drop in visitors is not only in Pahang but in Malaysia.

"There is a need for a strategic direction in reviving the tourism industry and the rebranding move is a 'wake up call' for everyone to get the industry in Pahang back on track," he told reporters after launching the state tourism industry's new theme at University College of Yayasan Pahang (UCYP) here today.

Wan Rosdy also described the new theme as the first step towards more ambitious tourism plans that would be carried out in stages once the pandemic is brought under control.

"Pahang offers a lot of new tourism products including the recently launched Menara Kuantan 188 which is the country's second tallest tower and Kuantan Art Street which has interesting mural paintings.

"We have highlands, eco-tourism destinations, national parks and beaches which are popular among domestic and foreign visitors.

"Our rebranding move to promote Pahang as a tourism destination is certainly timely as the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) is already being carried out nationwide and this will soon allow more people to travel."

Also present was State Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin and Tourism Pahang general manager Datuk Ishak Mokhtar.

-nst online.