By Balqis Jazimah Zahari
Photo: MBI
IPOH: Ipoh was chosen for the Asia Pacific level, 40th Tourism Promotion Organization (TPO) Executive Committee Meeting.
The mayor of Ipoh, Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the organization of the international level program is believed to be a platform to promote Ipoh and thus boost the tourism sector in this city and Perak.
“This is the first time we have successfully held a meeting for the international level of TPO in the city of Ipoh.
“We hope that with a program like this, Ipoh will not only become famous as a domestic tourism center but also as a city heading towards international tourism,” he said at a press conference when he attended the TPO Joint Promotion Presentation program at Hotel Weil here recently.
Pasir Pinji State Assembly Member Goh See Hua represented Perak State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee Chairman Loh Sze Yee to inaugurate the program.
Attending the program was the Secretary General of TPO, Ambassador Woo Kyoung-Ha.
Rumaizi said, the program at the same time can encourage more international tourists to the city.
“Most of the tourists from mainland China have now started entering Ipoh city, where before they only passed between Kuala Lumpur and Penang,” he said
Meanwhile, Woo Kyoung explained that the main purpose of organizing the TPO international program was to facilitate cooperation between several cities.
”We take this opportunity to inform you that we are very pleased to be able to hold the TPO meeting this time in Ipoh. We are very appreciative of the good hospitality facilities and well prepared by the officials throughout the program,” he said.
He added that the organization of the meeting coincided with the Visit Ipoh Year 2023.
”So I think, for the Year of Visiting Ipoh it will be more meaningful with this city being the location of the TPO international meeting.
“In addition, we chose Ipoh as the location for the meeting because apart from being a member of TPO, this city is also very active and gives full support in all the activities carried out by the organization.
“So, we are very happy to come and visit Ipoh and happy to choose Ipoh for the TPO meeting this time,” he said.
Thus, after the long pandemic period before, the organization of this meeting can provide added value in revitalizing the tourism industry in conjunction with the Ipoh Visit Year.
“We will ensure the role of TPO in providing support to tourism activities carried out in Ipoh. This is because the city of Ipoh is an important beneficiary of this organization,” he said.
According to him, through the TPO organization, he has also drawn up several collaborations to promote the tourism sector among city members.
”We exchange information on tourism programs between the cities involved in TPO. We have 20 city memberships and for example, some cities from China seem to be very interested in exchanging tourism information together with the city of Ipoh,” he said.
Earlier, among the 12 presentations in the Joint Promotion Presentation on the program were from Busan Metropolitan City, Sanya and Yantai, China, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and The Haven.
