ALOR GAJAH, July 30 (Bernama) -- The combination of Sabah's strengths as an ecotourism destination and Melaka’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site can add value to the nation’s tourism industry through enhanced strategic cooperation between the two states.
Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Jafry Ariffin said his meeting with Melaka Tourism, Heritage, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman provided an opportunity to exchange views, share best practices and explore areas of collaboration that would benefit both states, particularly in strengthening the domestic and international tourism industries.
“Each state has its own unique strengths. Sabah is renowned for its rich biodiversity, ecotourism and the diverse cultures of its multi-ethnic communities, while Melaka’s strength lies in its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in history and heritage.
“The combination of these strengths can generate added value for the nation's tourism industry,” he said in a statement here today.
Earlier, he attended a strategic engagement session here, which was also attended by, among others, Melaka Chief Minister's Department Tourism Promotion Division general manager Nasrul Ahmad, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Melaka branch director Mohamad Bukhari Che Man, as well as heads of departments and agencies under the state’s tourism, heritage and culture portfolio.
Jafry said the session also discussed potential collaboration in tourism promotion, the development of heritage- and culture-based tourism products, heritage site conservation, museum management, the development of the creative industry, and the exchange of expertise between relevant agencies.
He said such interstate cooperation is important to ensure Malaysia continues to offer diverse, high-quality and competitive tourism experiences in line with the aspiration of increasing tourist arrivals and tourism spending.
He added that Sabah is also ready to expand its collaboration with Melaka through the implementation of joint promotional programmes, the exchange of technical expertise, and the development of tourism packages linking key destinations in both states.
“I believe the close ties between Sabah and Melaka will continue to be strengthened through strategic cooperation that benefits the industry, local communities and the state economies, while contributing to the overall development of the country’s tourism sector,” he said.
--BERNAMA