By P. Chandra Sagaran
Some 50,000 people converged at the Bulatan Sultan Azlan Shah, Meru in Ipoh to witness the new year countdown and also the closing of the Visit Perak Year 2024 (VPY 2024).
Among those who attended the event were Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee Chairman Loh Sze Yee, Ipoh City Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin@Md Daud and other state dignitaries.
He also launched the Coffee Trails of Perak Package logo. Saarani also officiated the finale of Visit Perak Year 2024.
Also present were 40 university students lead by Professor Dr. Lawal M. Marafa of Chinese University of Hong Kong.(CHUK)
This was the second time the group had selected Perak for their academic studies.
This time around they visited two agencies, the Tourism Perak and Forestry Department.
The crowd were entertained to various dances, performances, songs and martial arts by seven associations and organisations.
There was also a performance by the Orang Asli community from the Hulu Perak Orang Asli Association.
The crowd also witnessed a video compilation of the Visit Perak Year 2024.
Saarani in his speech said:”we targeted eight million domestic tourists and 350,000 foreigners during VPY 2024 but we exceeded the figure.
“Up to November 2024 the state recorded 8.4 million daily tourists.
“Statistics from Tourism Malaysia revealed that up to September 2024, a total of 627,292 international tourists visited Perak,”he added.
He noted Ipoh and Pangkor Island were the popular destinations.
“However Larut, Matang and Selama District stand out as the third district with the highest number of visitors totalling 1,050,144.
“This goes to show that the tourism sector not only benefits the urban areas but also rural and suburbs,” he added.
Earlier Loh in his speech said:” during the VPY 2024 several high impact programmes were and training were implemented to enhance the tourism sector.
“Among them were presenting awards to individuals and agencies for promoting the sector.
“The other aspect was organising courses and training for industry players to communicate with foreign tourists, ” he added.
