Pahang is targeting seven million domestic tourists to visit the state this year, this is a stark contrast compared to what the state had before the pandemic.
Despite the low target, State Tourism, Culture, Environment, Plantation and Commodities Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the state government was optimistic of achieving the target if the Movement Control Order was not re-implemented in the country.
“Hotels and motels in the state have been found to have received bookings until April and this is a good sign for us to achieve the target and revive the state’s tourism industry. Although tourist spots that were affected by the floods are still closed, other attractive locations such as Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, the National Parks and State Parks are open as usual and our hope is that the MCO will not be re-implemented and for all parties to adhere to the stipulated standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he added.
To woo tourist, various programmes had been planned for implementation this year, including the Pahang Hiking Week and the Pahang Ocean Canoe International Challenge along the more than 240 kilometre of the state’s coastline. Pahang Hiking Week is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle where visitors go for hiking on some of the most scenic views in the country and also stay at homestays or hotels nearby.
Pahang recorded 13.9 million tourist arrivals in 2019, bringing revenue of RM15 billion, with the pandemic still in caution the state is starting a low base in hopes of restarting the tourism sector.
