ALOR SETAR, Jan 2 ― Kedah remain confident that the state will meet its target of five million tourists this year despite the depreciation of the ringgit.

Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir said the situation was actually a blessing as it would benefit the country's tourism industry when tourists choose to visit local destinations.

“It will be good as at times like these, locals as well as foreign tourists will choose to visit popular local tourist destinations. Those from countries which are still economically strong will probably make Malaysia, including Kedah, their tourist destination,” he said after the launch of Discover Kedah 2016 at Dataran Menara Alor Setar here, today.

Also present were Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg and Kedah state executive council members. ― Bernama