State govt pumps in RM29mil to boost tourism sector

THE government has allocated more than RM29mil to empower Johor’s tourism industry which will in turn help stimulate economic growth.

Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said RM14.3mil had been allocated to intensify the implementation of softscape and hardscape works at Johor’s main entrance which was part of the “Greater Johor Baru Agenda”.

He said the reopening of the country’s international borders on April 1 had resulted in the increase of tourist arrivals in addition to stimulating tourism growth and local economic activities.

“To improve tourism infrastructure, the state government has channelled RM8.3mil for the purpose of maintaining tourism centres including Gunung Ledang National Park, Sultan Abu Bakar Museum and Johor Zoo,” he added.

Onn Hafiz said this during the tabling of the state Budget 2023 at the Johor State Assembly sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar.

He added that the state government’s success in organising tourism events was a catalyst in luring more tourists to Johor.

These included the Majestic Johor Festival (MJF), which received the gold award for attractive state tourism event as well as Le’tape and Ironman sports championships.

“RM3mil has been allocated to organise signature events at the international and domestic level which are expected to attract more than a million tourists.

“Tourism events will benefit industry players in the hospitality, retail as well as food and beverage sectors including street vendors,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said RM2.45mil had been channelled for marketing and promotion of Majestic Johor’s tourism segments such as health, education as well as culture and heritage.

A sum of RM620,000 was also allocated to maintain the quality of service, cleanliness, safety and health at state tourism centres formed under Majestic Johor, he explained.

Besides that, RM500,000 had been provided for the implementation of training and development programmes for 1,000 tour guides in an effort to beef up the sector’s workforce.

Onn Hafiz said several major tourist locations in Johor would have CCTVs equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) especially in crime hotspots.

RM5.25mil would be available to improve infrastructure, namely lighting managed by local councils.