Agrotourism improves economy of local communities — MTC
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to promote the agrotourism sector have obviously paid off judging by improved living standards, economy and employment opportunities of the rural communities, said Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) president Uzaidi Udanis.
He said the local communities have been enjoying surplus benefits with the yearly increase in visitors to agro-tourism destinations in the country.
“The positive feedback from homestay operators and downstream product vendors who have successfully increased their income by two-fold has convinced us that this sector should continue to be expanded,” he told Bernama recently.
Uzaidi was commenting on the Road to Agrotourism programme to the central zone covering Kuala Kangsar and Cameron Highlands areas from Dec 12 to 14 which was attended by 40 participants representing government agencies and departments, the media and bloggers.
The special programme organised by MTC with the support of the Tourism and Culture Ministry ( MOTAC) and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry was aimed at promoting domestic agrotourism destinations through six series beginning with the southern zone last September.
Uzaidi added that MTC was committed to promoting agrotourism in a more aggressive manner and strong emphasis would be given to the sector in 2018 and 2019.
“MTC is currently collaborating with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute(Mardi) on identifyingand developing potential rural areas which can serve as agrotourism destinations. — Bernama