State Targets US$3.5 Billion Through Tourism Industry

TEMERLOH (Pahang, Malaysia), May 27 (Bernama) -- The Pahang state government has targeted RM10.5 billion (US$3.5 billion) in earnings this year from RM9.8 billion (US$3.2 billion) last year through the tourism industry. Pahang Culture and Tourism Committee chairman Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the state, in Peninsular Malaysia's east coast, offered various holiday packages on its highlands, beaches, islands and other attractions. "Industry players such as hotel, homestay and chalet operators as well as taxi drivers, hotel workers, foodstall operators and handicraft sellers will benefit directly from tourism," he told reporters after launching the Rural Transformation Centre mini carnival at Taman Lanchang Permai, here Sunday. According to him, the culture and lifestyle of the villagers represented a tourim product that had successfully drawn foreign visitors from Europe, the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Meanwhile, he said the state was targeting to receive 20 million tourists and RM20 billion (US$6.6 billion) in earnings in 2020. -- BERNAMA