Abd Hamid (in red shirt) and Ng (centre, light blue shirt) on Jambatan Kota, a Klang landmark, with MBDK staff and councillors.
KLANG mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain has renewed his commitment to boost tourism in the city, after statistics in the first quarter of 2025 put Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) in fifth position among Selangor’s 12 local councils.
“MBDK’s Community Development Department (cultural and tourism unit) needs to increase footfall in the heart of Klang’s shopping areas, heritage trail, offbeat cafes and places that offer traditional food,” he told StarMetro at a media event.
Selangor Tourism data revealed that Klang had recorded 149,165 domestic and foreign tourists from January through March, while Petaling Jaya City Council counted 408,710 tourists.
Subang Jaya City Council hit 397,831 while Sepang Municipal Council had 260,287 and Kajang Municipal Council saw 150,278 visitors.
Others included in the study were Shah Alam City Council (145,814), Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (91,806), Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (57,696), Selayang Municipal Council (44,306), Kuala Langat Municipal Council (38,921), Sabak Bernam District Council (11,749) and Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (11,495).
“I have been told that cruise ships have shifted their itineraries and head to Malacca instead of Port Klang, which led to a decrease in tourist numbers, particularly day-trippers,” said Abd Hamid.
He said there was a need to create a strong online presence to attract visitors.
“We need to promote local attractions like Istana Alam Shah, the official palace of the Sultan of Selangor, with engaging content, showcase shopping opportunities, places of worship and pre-war architecture with maps and directions,” he noted.
Abd Hamid said the promotion of landmarks like the iconic double-decked Jambatan Kota (Kota Bridge) and places of worship situated side by side, would attract tourists.
“It is time the council’s cultural and tourism unit leverage online platforms and engage potential tourists on cruises to Klang.”
Abd Hamid pledged to work with the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to entice tourists to Klang.
“We need to bring international tourists back to Klang.”
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said Klang had great potential for significant tourism growth, via strategic planning and promotion of tourist hotspots.
