Movers and shakers: Rosle (centre) with participants who will be attending the International Tourism and Culture Exhibition and Conference. (From left) Nur Shuhadah, Mohd Azmi, Wan Muhamad Adam and director of Warisanad Ashaari Mohd Nasir. — ART CHEN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Over 20 countries will attend the International Tourism and Culture Exhibition and Conference (Intac) 2024, which will be held from Oct 3 to 6 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
“Since the promotional launch in March, it’s heartening that within five months, over 20 countries have expressed their interest to participate.
“This includes six nations that will stage their cultural performances – a prospect we are greatly looking forward to,” Intac chairman Datuk Rosle Jaamat told a press conference yesterday.
“Countries such as Argentina are attending for the first time. Mexico is sending a cultural troupe for performances, heightening the excitement,” he added.
Rosle said the four-day event is anticipated to draw 100,000 visitors, with the first two days of conferences expected to attract 700 industry participants.
He said the aim is to expand business networks through these enriching conference sessions.
Intac 2024 endeavours to promote tourism while celebrating cultural diversity in Malaysia.
It serves as a convergence point for international industry leaders, cultural enthusiasts and tourism experts to exchange, collaborate and innovate towards sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Following a significant upsurge in the travel and tourism sector over the last two years, the trend is expected to persist.
Last year, Malaysia saw a commendable inflow of 20.1 million international visitors, generating RM71.3bil in revenue and surpassing the projection of 16.1 million arrivals.
This year, the country hopes to attract 27.3 million tourists, generating RM102.7bil in tourism revenue.
In light of the positive outlook, Indonesia has been named the featured guest country for Intac 2024. With its extensive exhibit spanning 20 booths across 172sq m, Indonesia will have the largest international presence at the event.
To date, Intac 2024 has confirmed the participation of countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bosnia, France, Georgia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Peru, Yemen, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Thailand.
Intac’s inaugural event has the potential to surpass the initial target of 20 international exhibitors, setting a new precedent.
The event has also received overwhelming backing from several governmental bodies, especially the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and key agencies such as Tourism Malaysia, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, Langkawi Development Authority, Malaysian Timber Industry Board, Bumiputera Tourism Operators Association of Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
Intac 2024 will feature a rich tapestry of cultural performances with acts from Kenya, Mexico, Yemen and the Bajau Suluk ethnic group from Sabah.
The event will include a two-day International Tourism Conference, collaboratively organised by the Madani Research Centre and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
The conference, open to the public and free of charge, will run from 10am to 6pm and will delve into pivotal issues and emerging opportunities within the tourism sector.
Also present during the press conference were Madani Research Centre chief executive officer Mohd Azmi Mat Nayan, Bumiputera Tourism Operators Association president Wan Muhamad Adam and IIUM Department of Tourism assistant professor Nur Shuhadah Mohd.
