MELAKA – A total of 16.79 million tourists visited Melaka last year, the highest ever recorded by the state, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron.
He said this was proof that Melaka had become one of the main tourist destinations in the country, with the majority of foreign tourists from China, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
“Melaka may be small in size but immense in stature, where centuries of civilisation and cultures have met here, shaping the foundation of a thriving and progressive nation that we have today.
“We can see the growth of the tourism sector which attracted 16.28 million tourists in 2016, and we are targeting 17 million for this year,” he said in his speech at a dinner in conjunction with the 9th Joint Seminar and 40th Public Services Games For Public Sector Leaders of Malaysia and Singapore 2018 here tonight.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Head of Civil Service of Singapore Leo Yip and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
The three-day event which began yesterday is attended by 41 public officials from Malaysia and 33 from Singapore.
Idris said among recognition which Melaka received last year were ‘The World’s Trendiest Holiday Destination by The British Post’; ‘The Most Visited City In Malaysia After Kuala Lumpur (Recognition by Motac)’; and ‘Top 10 Best Destination Must Visit in Asia By Lonely Planet.com’.
Four more ‘Top 25 Destinations By Trip Advisor.com’; ‘Top Five Shopping Heaven In Malaysia’, ‘Top 50 World Street Food Awards’ and ‘The Prime Minister’s Tourism Award For 2017’.
Idris said apart from distinction in tourism industry, the state government also worked hard to promote Melaka as a centre for investment, and for the past four and a half years, top companies worldwide had come to the state.
“We managed to receive more than RM22 billion in investments in the manufacturing sector, the highest in the investment history of Melaka.”
-- BERNAMA
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