By Zareef Muzammil
SELAYANG, Sept 12 — Improving the state tourism facilities will be an important focus in the 2023 Selangor Budget, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
He said previously local tourism was also emphasized in the state budget but paid more attention to promoting and boosting the industry, post-Covid-19 pandemic.
Amirudin said the upgrading of facilities at tourist locations in Selangor is necessary as the state is becoming a focus destination for both domestic and international visitors.
“We should add a bit more value (to Gua Damai), perhaps place more signs as well as providing restaurants, waqfs and toilets, to make it easier for visitors.
“We are also upgrading the restaurant and toilets at SkyMirror in Kuala Selangor since visitors commonly spend half a day there,” he said, after officiating the Gua Damai Extreme Carnival here yesterday.
Also in attendance were Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) president Mohd Yazid Sairi and Orang Besar Gombak Tan Sri Wan Mahmood Pa’wan Teh.
The Menteri Besar added that previously improving tourism centres’ facilities and local attractions utilised funding from local authorities and private companies.
“So to me, if the state government can spend on it, this will help (to improve Selangor’s tourism infrastructure),” Amirudin said.
The 2022 Selangor Budget prepared RM114.6 million in initiatives for 2021 to 2025, as part of its efforts to help tourism operators, including with recovery grants and post-pandemic promotions.
Additional efforts to revive the industry also include the development of the state’s official tourism application, Go Selangor.
