HULU TERENGGANU, June 21 — The Tourism and Culture Ministry is confident of achieving an annual visitor arrival of 36 million by 2020, which would generate earnings to the tune of RM168 billion for the country.
Its minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the projection was based on tourist arrivals in the first quarter of the year.
“I am confident that we will reach the 36 million target, given our 28 million target this year and the seven million tourist arrival in the first quarter despite the drawbacks,” he told a press conference after closing the 10-day Kuala Berang Cultural Town, Eco-Fest and ‘Festival Batu Bersurat’ programmes today.
Nazri did not deny that the MH370 missing flight and kidnapping incidents in Sabah had an impact on visitor arrival.
Meanwhile, he lauded the endeavour by the Kuala Berang state constituency’s office and Hulu Terengganu district office to hold three mega programmes simultaneously, beginning on June 15, to introduce Kuala Berang to the world in anticipation of the declaration of Tasik Kenyir as the first tax-free lake in the world in September. — Bernama
