MELAKA: Melaka plans to leverage the World Tourism Day (WTD) and World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025 as platforms to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said that promotional activities targeting both international and local participants will begin as early as January next year.
"As the host of WTD and WTC 2025, Melaka is taking steps to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026, following the conclusion of Visit Melaka Year 2024.
"We have set targets and will hold several committee meetings to mobilise these promotional activities as key instruments to attract tourists next year," he told reporters at Padang Nyiru here last night.
He said this after officiating the state-level Deepavali Festival 2024, which was also attended by Melaka MIC chairman and state Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) exco, Datuk V.P. Shanmugam.
The media previously reported that World Tourism Day (WTD) and World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025, beginning Sept 27 next year, are expected to attract participants from over 150 countries, including tourism ministers, heads of national tourism organisations, and key figures from the global tourism industry.
Earlier, at the opening ceremony of the Deepavali Festival, Ab Rauf announced that the state government has allocated RM200,000 in donations for 1,000 recipients from the Indian community in conjunction with this year's Festival of Lights.
He added that his administration was committed to listening to the wishes and needs of the Indian community, ensuring that the welfare and well-being of the people, regardless of race or religion, are prioritised.
"The state government remains committed to uplifting the socio-economic status of the Indian community, recognising their substantial contributions to Melaka's growth and development over the years," he said.
Approximately 5,000 visitors of various races, along with foreign tourists, attended the Deepavali Festival, which showcased a variety of popular dishes, including biryani rice, chapati, appam, putu mayam, and thosai.
Additionally, attendees were treated to a range of artistic and cultural performances, featuring popular artists Zubir Khan and Yennode Macha. — BERNAMA