Terengganu Woos Tourist At ITB

March 15, 2009 13:58 PM

Terengganu Woos Tourist At ITB

BERLIN, March 15 (Bernama) -- Though it has been participating at Berlin's International Tourism Bourse (ITB), the world's largest tourism show, for the last three years, Terengganu made a strong pitch at this year's ITB which runs from March 11 to 15.

Driven by the urgency to diversify its oil-and-gas dependent economy, Terengganu is trying to plunge headlong into the services sector, taking aim at promoting its tourism sector.

"We are striving hard to attract tourists. We have sought permission from the Ministry of Transport to allow direct flights by Firefly airline from Terengganu to Singapore effective June this year.

"Our target is to get 10 per cent of all Singaporeans going abroad to visit Terengganu," said Datuk Zaabar Mohd Adib, chairman of the state committee for tourism, in an interview with Bernama here.

Zaabar said that Terengganu's attraction lies in beaches stretching a total of some 224km, as well as the islands which are clean and closely monitored for any pollution and "full of exotic and rare marine life."

"Since our resources are depleting, we need to aggressively promote Terengganu as a tourist destination. Our man-made lake Kenyir on the western part of the state is another attraction. We are offering Kenyir island hopping. We offer boat houses where entire families, including children, can spend their holidays," he added.

He said Terengganu attracted more than 3.5 million tourists last year, exceeding its self-imposed target of 3.5 million.

Zaabar said that despite the current economic downturn plaguing the world, Terengganu had received a good response at the ITB.

"Our Monsoon Cup to be held in the first week of December 2009 has been very popular here.

"In 2008, we had the World Endurance Championship, an equestrian event involving horse-riding for long distance. Many German visitors to our stand revealed a keen interest in our islands. Our major markets are the United Kingdom, Germany and other European countries.

"Although Singaporeans visit us in large numbers, they are considered as domestic tourists for statistical purpose. Indonesians also come in large numbers to Terengganu," he added.

-- BERNAMA