RM10mil+ allocation in state budget to revive tourism programmes in Perak

Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi (4th) posing for photos with some of the Tourism Industry players who received the incentives.

IPOH: Several initiatives have been put in place by the Perak government to revive the state’s tourism industry in view of the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, says Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi.

The state Housing, Local Government and Tourism committee chairman said over RM10mil has been allocated in the state budget towards running tourism programmes next year.

She said RM4.4mil would be used to upgrade the infrastructure of current tourism products.

“There are also plans to develop new tourism packages, for instance, the creation of a heritage trail at Pulau Bangau in Teluk Intan, and plans for a new gallery at the Panglima Kinta Mosque for Islamic tourism.

“Then we will have a light and sound show project at Ipoh Padang, and the maze garden near the tin dredge in Tanjung Tualang, ” she told a press conference here on Thursday (Dec 24).

Nolee said to help industry players, some 300 registered tour guides based in Perak would receive a one-off incentive of RM700 each, while tour and travel agency companies would receive RM2,000.

This, she said, was to help the domestic tourism sector create packages to promote Perak.

“Besides that, a one-off payment of RM10,000 would be provided to 12 associations and non-governmental organisations to invigorate the industry as well, ” she added.

Nolee said since the end of the conditional MCO, Pulau Pangkor has seen an increase in tourism arrivals.

Commenting on a viral post claiming chocolates were all sold out in Pulau Langkawi, she told tourists to head to Pangkor instead, as there was still plenty of stock available.

“There are also promotions and sales on chocolates in Pangkor, ” she added.