By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
Kuala Lumpur: In conjunction with Visit Perak 2024 (TMP2024), the Chief Minister of Perak Darul Ridzuan, Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad, announced that the number of tourists visiting Perak is projected to reach 8 million domestic tourists and 325,000 foreign tourists, with an expected tourism revenue of RM10 billion.
Saarani highlighted that Perak has recorded the second-highest increase in tourist arrivals nationwide, with 6.9 million tourists compared to only 1.35 million in 2021.
“This achievement positions Perak in second place, just after Pahang, which received 7.8 million domestic tourists last year,” he stated during his speech at the Official Launching Ceremony of TMP2024, which took place at Centrecourt, NU Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, earlier today.
The realistic target is attributed to the diverse range of tourism products offered by Perak, aligning with its reputation as a preferred destination for tourists in the future.
To achieve this goal, Saarani emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders and the creation of new tourism products for the state.
Speaking at the Official Launching Ceremony of TMP2024 held at Centrecourt, NU Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Saarani further mentioned that the upcoming 233-kilometre highway project connecting Banting, Selangor, and South Taiping in Perak will facilitate tourist visits from outside the state.
“The opening of the West Coast Expressway (WCE) expected at the end of this year will serve as another major gateway for tourists entering Perak. Starting from Hutan Melintang, this highway route will take you through various exits in Perak, including Teluk Intan, famous for the Leaning Tower; Lekir, Sitiawan, and Sitiawan Utara, the gateway to Pangkor Island.
“In Perak, the WCE connects to the final exit at South Taiping, directly linking with the North-South Expressway (PLUS) exit in Changkat Jering. This new highway will also provide access to other attractive tourist destinations along the coastal areas of Perak, including a shortcut to Bagan Datuk, which will experience a significant impact with the opening of the WCE,” Saarani added during the TMP2024 inauguration.
Over five thousand visitors witnessed the TMP2024 event, which also hosted the Perak Travel Fair 2.0, spanning three days until July 16, 2023.
Twenty-two tourism product entrepreneurs, six food entrepreneurs, and four craft entrepreneurs showcased their unique offerings.
The Chairman of the State Tourism, Industry, Investment, and Corridor Development Committee, Loh Sze Yee, was among the attendees.
For further information on the programmes and events during Visit Perak 2024, please visit the official Tourism Perak website on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or their website: http://tourismperakmalaysia.com.
