By Mustakim Ramli
SHAH ALAM, Feb 12 — Tourism Selangor has chosen social media as the main medium to promote the beauty and uniqueness of the Gombak-Hulu Langat (GHL) Geopark to tourists, especially locals in the state.
Its chief executive officer Azrul Shah Mohamad said promotions made through social media were important to make people aware of the existence of GHL Geopark, as one of the eco-tourism spots in Selangor.
“We have intensified promotions on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and various other social media channels. We also plan to hold promotions on mainstream media such as electronic and print.
“We will also highlight GHL Geopark during our tour programme, Visit Selangor First (Pusing Selangor Dulu) campaign,” he said during the Bual Bicara talk show titled ‘GHL Geopark towards becoming National Geopark’ broadcast live on SelangorTV Youtube and Media Selangor Facebook last night.
Azrul Shah also acknowledged that promotion is an important element in tourism strategy and has proven successful in introducing some of the geoparks in the country to visitors.
“Langkawi Geopark is very popular among the people in this country due to the promotional programmes that were carried out.
“GHL Geopark has more advantage because Selangor has a population of over six million and they are the target for our promotions,” he said.
Meanwhile, another panellist, PLANMalaysia@Selangor director Md Nazri Abdullah agreed with Azrul that promotion is the key element in highlighting GHL Geopark.
“We have held a logo design contest as part of the effort to introduce GHL and we already have a winner. The logo will be launched this March followed by promotional programmes.
“Promotion is important because GHL Geopark is very unique because it is the only geopark located in the suburbs with a high population density and this advantage will help in popularising the geopark,” he said.
On November 9, 2020, state executive councillor for tourism and environment Hee Loy Sian said Selangor has formed the Geopark Management Body in Gombak and Hulu Langat in its efforts to obtain the National Geopark recognition.
He said the committee will collect information on 20 sites in the state, provide data, execute promotional activities as well as identify agencies to collaborate with.
The sites are the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge in Gombak, Taman Tasik Biru Seri Kundang (Rawang), Batu Caves limestone hill, Bukit Tabur (Taman Melawati), former Batu Arang mining site (Gombak).
The other sites are Taman Rimba Commonwealth waterfall (Rawang), Sungai Gabai waterfall (Hulu Langat), Sungai Kanching waterfall (Rawang), Bukit Nuang granite (Hulu Langat), Broga Hill granite (Semenyih), Batu Dam and Klang Gates Dam,” he said.
