Citrawarna back with a bang
Tourism extravaganza highlights Malaysia’s best
paraded to the delight and cheers of the spectators.
Choreographed performances showcased the different attractions of Malaysia to tourists such as the country’s arts, food, nature and popular shopping.
The performers streamed down the road, watched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, her deputy Datuk James Dawos Mamit and Tourism Malaysia acting director-general Datuk Azizan Noordin.
The other guests included 280 participants from 28 countries who were here to attend a tourism familiarisation programme.
Citrawarna was first organised in 1998 and has been held yearly since to promote the various tourism activities in Malaysia. KUALA LUMPUR: A lively parade of dancers, marching bands, big bikes and a procession of floats showered the night atmosphere with colours at the launch of the 2012 edition of the Citrawarna 1Malaysia extravaganza.
A section of Jalan Raja in front of the historical site was closed last night, where more than 7,000 performers and 10 colourful floats
In her speech, Dr Ng said last year, Malaysia recorded 24.6 million tourist arrivals, the highest ever in the history of the country’s tourism industry.
She said the high number of tourists would further spur efforts to promote Malaysia as a top holiday destination.
“Citrawarna 1Malaysia 2012 is held to promote Malaysia as a holiday destination which is rich in historical heritage and culture.
“Our assortment of tourism products such as beautiful nature and uniqueness of our people will continue to attract tourists,” she added.
Dr Ng said the influx of tourists into the country could also be attributed to events such as Citrawarna.
The show ended with entertainment by local singers Ella, Syafinaz and Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim.