PERAK is ready to position itself as a premier cruise tourism destination, offering a strategic alternative to established regional stops like Port Klang in Selangor and Penang.
Perak tourism, industry, investment and corridor development committee chairman Loh Sze Yee said the state’s potential was on full display welcoming the maiden arrival in Lumut of a StarDream Cruise ship that brought about 3,000 international tourists.
The milestone is expected to trigger a significant multiplier effect for local businesses, particularly across F&B, retail, handicraft and transportation sectors.
Loh said high-profile cruise calls do far more than just showcase Perak’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
They also stimulate vital infrastructure upgrades, attract fresh tourism investments and create a wave of new employment opportunities for local residents in hospitality, tour guiding and the handicraft industry.
“The surge in tourist arrivals will spur dynamic economic growth across Lumut, Sitiawan and Ipoh,” Loh told Bernama.
To ensure a seamless visitor experience, the state has mapped out practical travel itineraries for disembarking passengers.
Upon entering Perak waters, tourists can either take a direct ferry to the pristine beaches of Pulau Pangkor or disembark at Marina Island.
From Marina Island, they can easily be shuttled to Ipoh to explore the state capital’s iconic heritage sites and attractions.
Loh also said the state government was in talks with Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to aggressively promote community-based products from local Malay villages and Chinese new villages around Manjung district to international travellers.
“In Chinese new villages, we have many unique attractions, especially famous traditional Hock Chew delicacies like kompia, ang chow mee suah and Kampung Koh chili sauce.
“The Malay villages offer highly popular local staples such as fish satay, ikan bilis and the sought-after Sambal Ikan Bilis Mata Biru.”
Loh said the inaugural cruise docking served as a successful pilot project that the state planned to refine and expand.
Future strategies include consolidating local crafts and delicacies into centralised hubs, making it much easier for short-stay cruise visitors to shop in one convenient location.
“The state government and Tourism Perak remain fully committed to supporting cruise tourism by continuously upgrading infrastructure, facilities and hospitality services,” Loh said.
The next cruise ship is scheduled to dock in Perak on June 22.
Loh added that the state government was fully prepared, working hand-in-hand with Tourism Perak, Immigration and Customs departments to guarantee a seamless entry for the next wave of global travellers.
