Government To Boost Railway Tourism

KOTA BAHARU, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry will cooperate with Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) in an effort to boost railway tourism.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen said several stations would be upgraded to attract more tourists, especially from Singapore to take train rides to various states, especially Kelantan.

"Travelling by train to various states especially Kelantan will be a unique experience, which would enable tourists to sample the cultures of the people," she told reporters after holding a dialogue with local tourism industry players here Tuesday.

Ng said Kelantan was endowed with a tropical rainforest, waterfalls, a national park, exotic dishes, and arts and culture.

"Tourists can experience the way of life of the people through the homestay programme," she said.

She said various state and national level activities such as the Food Fiesta, Cahaya Diraja Kelantan Festival in conjunction with the Sultan of Kelantan's birthday celebration and the Malaysian Tourism Arts Festival would help put Kelantan at the forefront of the country's tourism this year.

Ng said Kubang Pasu Market in Jalan PCB, the oldest of its kind in the state, would be turned into a food mall selling dishes and foodstuff from various races.

She said Kelantan recorded 67,702 of 23.65 million the country's tourist arrivals last year up compared with 53,838 of 22 million the previous year.

The state now has 3,948 rooms, including homestay and budget hotels, last year compared with 3,549 the previous year, she added.

-- BERNAMA