KUCHING, Jan 1: After three years of suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic, the new Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, hopes to reel in more tourists into Malaysia this year and put the country as one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
He said it is undeniable that tourism is one of the core areas that rapidly drive the country’s economic growth.
“Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) must step out of the comfort zone, brainstorm and improve itself, and continue to improve with innovative thinking and methods in line with the current society,” he said in a statement today.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and Dudong assemblyman, further appealed to the tourism, art, and cultural industry, including travel agencies and tourism service industries, to continue to provide Motac with constructive suggestions and opinions.
He also hoped to create a new era and new heights for the tourism sector so that Malaysia could be competitive on the world tourism stage and reclaim its status as one of the world’s major tourist destinations.
“In the coming year, the Ministry and its associated agencies must formulate new key performance indicators (KPIs) and goals to be achieved for its relevant divisions and agencies. It must think out of the box to formulate fresh strategies and achieve the goals set, not just deliver sweet but empty promises.
“Looking back on the past, we have braved some tough times and overcame obstacles. Looking to the future, we all have a long way to go toward recovery.
“In welcoming the new year, I hope that the country will be more prosperous, the weather will be smooth, and the people will live and work in peace and contentment,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
