The Star Malaysia

Cleanlines­s is crucial for tourism, says Nazri

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GEORGE TOWN: The cleanlines­s of a country is important when attracting tourists and to avoid giving them a poor impression, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

This is especially so with Penang, which is seen as a culinary haven, he said.

“If the place is dirty, the impression is that we are a dirty country.

“If the place where the food is served is unhygienic, tourists will feel that they are getting food that is not clean.

“Malaysians are clean but we need to make sure our surroundin­gs are also kept clean,” he said at the Tourism Malaysia Chinese New Year celebratio­ns at the Esplanade here on Friday.

Nazri cited the case of Japanese reporters who congregate­d at Hospital Kuala Lumpur for the coverage of the Kim Jongnam murder.

A Bernama reporter had observed that these Japanese pressmen, when their day ended, went about collecting garbage in the compound where they had gathered.

Nazri said Malaysians needed to show that they lived in a country that cultivates cleanlines­s.

As for George Town and Malacca which were Unesco Heritage Sites, he said: “If we do not want to lose our place in the list, we need to ensure the conservati­on of the heritage buildings.

“This is what attracts tourists.”

 ??  ?? Just lion around: Guests at a Chinese New Year celebratio­n watching a lion dance at the Esplanade in Penang.
Just lion around: Guests at a Chinese New Year celebratio­n watching a lion dance at the Esplanade in Penang.

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