‘Cruise tourism will boost revenue’

LANGK AWI:The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is stepping up efforts to develop cruisebased tourism products that have the potential to boost the country’s revenue.

Its deputy minister, Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, said the country had scenic shores that could be used as ports for cruise ships.

“Langkawi tour operators have the potential to explore and actively take part in the cruise tourism segment that is gaining in popularity.

“Efforts are under way, with the island (Langkawi) selected as a home port for cruise ship operator Tui Group,” he said in a statement read by Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Datuk Abdul Khani Daud at a gotongroyong to clean up Sungai Kilim here yesterday.

On the cruise operation in Langkawi, Bakhtiar said the new tourism product would start operations in December with two luxury cruise ships.

“Some 7,200 tourists from the United Kingdom and Europe are expected to fly to Langkawi and board cruise ships that have been given the permission to operate (here). The selection of the island by Europe’s biggest tour agency affirms (the island’s) domestic tourism potential and boosts its image globally.”

Present were Langkawi Development Board chief executive officer Datuk Azizan Noordin and Kampung Kilim Langkawi Bhd Community Cooperative chairman Kasa Harun.

Some 300 people from the public and private sectors, as well as non-government organisations and cooperative members participated in the clean-up.