SHAH ALAM, Oct 4 — Efforts in strengthening bilateral ties and co-managed programmes between Selangor and other nations can increase the number of visitors from abroad to the state.
State executive councillor for tourism Hee Loy Sian said the efforts, such as the Selangor Local Community Hosts, would directly support Tourism Selangor’s “Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere!” campaign, which is a global tourism marketing initiative.
“The campaign is geared to make Selangor a prominent travel destination and to increase cooperation between the interested nations.
“Selangor is enriched with its accessibility and enabled it to attract over 10.2 million visitors as of 2021.
“This will be enhanced with the execution of community-based tourism while ensuring Selangor tourism products are competitive, innovative and in accordance with current trends and demands,” he said in a statement, yesterday.
Hee said that community-based tourism ensures that both key players in the tourism sector and communities would benefit from one another.
He said that Tourism Selangor has made yet another step to significantly contribute to the development of networks and connections across the various tourism sectors.
Among the initiatives made include promoting experiential tourism in Selangor by planning a trip to explore Bangkok with the Selangor Local Community Hosts and the local councils.
“The Selangor Community-Based Tourism in Bangkok is geared to reform the Selangor tourism industry and improve several iconic tourism hotspots in Selangor.
“These iconic tourism hotspots include the Kuala Kubu Bharu in Hulu Selangor, the Sekinchan Paddy Field in Sabak Bernam, the Kampung Kuantan Fireflies Park in Kuala Selangor, the Klang Royal Town in Klang, the Kajang Heritage Centre and Mah Meri Cultural Village in Kuala Langat,” the statement read.
The trip to Bangkok organised by Tourism Selangor, in support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Tourism Malaysia office in Bangkok, was held from September 28 to October 3. It was led by Hee along with Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Azrul Shah Mohamad.
Six local councils — Klang Municipal Council, Sabak Bernam District Council, Kuala Selangor Municipal Council, Hulu Selangor Municipal Council, Kuala Langat Municipal Council, and Kajang Municipal Council — collaborated in the programme to support the Selangor Local Community Hosts.
The effort was also supported by the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).
The programme showcased a series of community-based tourism in Bangkok including Float House River Kwai Resort, Nang Loeng, Hua Takhe and Chatuchak Market, as recommended by TAT.
