Pahang's international tourism events set to return after two-year hiatus

 

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin when opening the Pahang International Tourism Symposium 2022 which was held virtually today.
- NSTP/.N. Alagesh

KUANTAN: International tourism events that fell victim to Covid-19 for two consecutive years are set to make a comeback in Pahang this year.

The annual Royal Pahang Billfish International challenge, Start in Tioman (diving) and Southeast Asia's longest running International Bird Race event, the Fraser's Hill International Bird Race were last hosted in 2019 before the pandemic wreaked havoc.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin described the move to reopen the country's borders on April 1 as timely and will allow Pahang to host several events of international interests.

"We are grateful for the Prime Minister's (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) announcement as it will help to restart the tourism industry. Pahang began initiatives in January by introducing 'This is Pahang 2022-Unlimited' as the state's new tourism theme so we must step up and keep the momentum going.

"Now we must work hard to become a top choice destination when the borders reopen. Hosting these international events will be an advantage to lure visitors to Pahang. When the pandemic struck, popular events like the annual bird race and billfish had to be called-off," he said in his speech when opening the Pahang International Tourism Symposium 2022 which was held virtually today.

The symposium jointly organised by the Pahang government, Tourism Pahang and University College of Yayasan Pahang (UCYP) saw 11 local and international panellists sharing their expertise on various perspectives themed "Green Tourism & Sustainability Strategies".

Meanwhile when contacted, Sharkar said Pahang which had previously hoped to attract between seven and eight million visitors this year, will not set any ambitious targets with the reopening of the border.

"We are not going to revise the target and if we can achieve more than eight million visitors in 2022 then that is certainly good. Tourist destinations across the state including islands and national parks are all geared up for tourist arrivals," he said.

He said the Pahang Ocean Canoe International Challenge is scheduled to make its debut in the tourism calendar this year.

"The multi-day canoe ocean race will see participants travelling about 240km from the Chendor beach in Cherating (Terengganu border) to Pantai Hiburan in Rompin (Johor border). The event will be held in the second half of this year.

"Our aim is not only to attract holidaymakers to visit popular destinations across the state but to participate in various events to help accelerate the economic spill-overs. Besides hotel and resort operators, it will help traders and transport providers recover after the recent setbacks from the pandemic," he said.

-nst online.