MENTION Selangor and tourism, and fireflies may be the first thing to come to many people’s minds.
However, the state, with its lush tropical rainforest, infrastructure, facilities and scenic sights, offers a range of places to be visited.
Selangor, which is known mainly for its industrial economy, has a thriving tourism industry beneath its business hub.
The tourism industry is considered one of Selangor’s most important sources of income with 5.67mil tourists flocking to the state last year.
It also has strong growth potential with new theme parks, hotels and tourist spots in the works.
According to the Selangor Tourism Action Council (MTPN) executive chairman Datuk Subahan Kamal, the state was concentrating on educational, health and homestay tourism programmes.
He said with the many modern facilities, the tourism industry in the state could flourish to another level.
MTPN is moving aggressively towards making the programmers a success with help from the relevant stakeholders like hospitals, colleges and other interested individuals.
He pointed out that homestay programmes, for example, could be a potential source of income for many.
He said their target for this year’s tourist arrivals of 5.5mil was possible as the state had already attracted about 4.2mil tourists so far.
These statistics were based on data collected from five-star hotels only and did not include those who stayed at budget hotels, on campus or were here as medical tourists.
“It is booming even with the economic constraints but there is room for more growth as we have many undiscovered and untapped areas,” he said.
The MPTN, which comes under the purview of the Tourism Ministry, works hand-in-hand with the state government.
He said despite the political differences, the main aim was to boost tourism in the state to its fullest potential.
Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, RM29.9mil has been allocated for upgrading facilities, RM9.6mil for maintenance, RM2.5mil for homestay programmes and another RM8mil for economic stimulus projects.
For next year, MPTN is requesting RM60mil to continue its efforts.
Among the projects being carried out are the upgrading of Fraser’s Hill’s Gap Rest House and tourist facilities, the development of stalls and expo lots at Morib beach, upgrading Gunung Nuang Recreational Forest, development of state parks and recreational forests, upgrading homestay programmes in Sabak Bernam, Sungai Sireh, Gombak, Hulu Selangor and Air Manis as well as the Royal Sultan Abdul Aziz Gallery in Klang.
“We are also in discussions to turn part of the Selangor Sultan’s palace into a tourist site.
“A lot of people are intrigued by royalty, tradition and heritage, and we see this as a potential tourist attraction as well.
“It also a great way to showcase our history and rich tradition,” he said.
He said they were trying to get the Sultan’s permission for this purpose.
When asked about some of the present tourist sites that needed to be revamped, Subahan pointed out that the National Zoo was in dire straits.
He said the federal government should take over the zoo and revive it.
“Selangor has its own niche in terms of tourism, which is what it can sell.
“It cannot compete with the beaches of Tioman or Redang but it does have its unique qualities and is more for the family market,” he said.
Subahan said the reality was that Selangor was an industrial state but tourism was definitely a main player in the local economy.
