Date: 13 December 2012
New theme parks, outlet to boost Johor tourism.
The opening of two theme parks and an international shopping
outlet has given the state's tourism industry a huge boost with foreign tourist
arrivals recording 29% increase this year. For the first eight month of this
year, tourist arrivals touched 14.4 million compared to 11.1 million for the
same period last year, said state tourism, domestic trade and consumer affairs
committee chairman Datuk Hoo Seong Chang.
On the total number of tourists arrivals in the state
annually, Hoo added that in 2011, the state received 16.73 million visitors
compared with 16.58 million in 2010. Hoo attributed the drastic increase in
tourist arrivals to the opening of the Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) in Kulai;
Legoland Malaysia and the Puteri Habour family theme park, both in Nusajaya.
“These attractions will also help ensure tourists spend more
time in the state from 1.8 days in 2010 to three days by 2021,” he said in his
speech at the state assembly in Nusajaya. He added that tourism was also
expected to generate more income as the spending power of a tourist here was
also expected to increase from RM450 in 2009 to RM1,030 in 2020.
Hoo added that the state government was aware of the
potential from the tourism sector and was committed to developing the support
facilities and also ensure the proper management and maintenance of these
international class destinations.
“We are also encouraging and motivating our industry players
especially through the Johor Tourism Awards which has been held at least two
times,” he added.
By NELSON BENJAMIN newsdesk@thestar.com.my
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