By P. Chandra Sagaran

After a lapse of six years, tourism industry players had the opportunity to vie for Perak Tourism Awards 2024 held at the Casuarina@Meru in Ipoh recently. 

In all, there were 46 awards in 10 categories which included accommodation, hospitality and services and destinations, tour operators/travel agencies, transportation and community engagement and finally social impact.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad officiated the function.

Also present were representatives from tourist associations, travel agencies, hotels among others from the tourism sector and government officials . 

In his speech, he said:”The event is not a platform to reward only those who have contributed but also to assess our achievements, aspirations and prepare for the future of the tourism industry. 

“The Visit Perak Year 2024 will give us more confidence in promoting the state at the international stage,” he added. 

Industry, Investment, Tourism Corridor Development Committee Chairman Loh Sze Yee said”The awards to the winners are in recognition of their support and sacrifices of the industry players to promote Perak. 

“In the past 10 months of the Visit Perak Year several programmes and initiatives were implemented. 

“This resulted in close cooperation with several entities including Canon, Grab, Hovid and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad which gave a high value,”” he added. 

Among the winners was the host Hotel, Casuarina@Meru winning the “Excellence in Business Event Hotel” award at the ceremony.

Kumpulan Selendang Perak entertained the crowd while several guests went home with lucky draw prizes.