Sudan to Promote Diverse Attractions, Aim to Double Tourist Arrivals

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Untouched pristine beaches in Sudan’s Red Sea coastal area, is paradise for beach lovers especially diving-enthusiasts; albeit a little unknown to those outside the African-and-neighbouring-European continent. Famous for its clean-and-clear blue water, the spot is some of the must-visit places in Sudan, recommended by the country’s newly appointed ambassador to Malaysia, Hamza Omer Hassan Ahmed, adding his plans to promote the place and more to Malaysians. The diplomat said Sudan in northern Africa is also a great place for adventure-loving tourists as the mountainous area of Jebel Marra gave climbers and hikers exhilarating views from the top, with waterfalls and volcanic lakes around the area. “We received one million tourist arrivals annually and we are planning to double this number. Starting next year we will line up special programmes on tourism,” he told Bernama in an interview recently. The ambassador said Sudan is also keenly promoting archaeological sites in the country, including the over 250 Nubian pyramids – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – part of the five archaeological sites, stretching more than 60 km in the Nile valley, which also includes temples, burial mounds and chambers, living complexes and palaces. “We are now working with the Qatar government to help develop tourist attractions in Sudan. We also want to invite Malaysian government and companies to invest in tourism facilities and services, to develop the sector,” he added. The ambassador noted that currently Malaysians could travel to Sudan via most gulf gateways such as Doha (Qatar), Dubai and Abu Dhabi (UAE), as well as Cairo (Egypt), and made easy with Visa-on-Arrival only for Malaysian passport holders, valid for the period of one month. Hamza Omer added the Sudan Embassy in Malaysia encouraged and ready to assists any groups, including tour operators that would like to visit the country, noting that November till May as the best period to visit the big nation that has diverse weather. Emphasising that Sudan is now safe for tourists, he noted that one of the most important tasks to encourage tourism is by overcoming negative media propaganda that has marred the country’s reputation, especially during the unrest that resulted in South Sudan’s independence from Sudan, and sanctioned period by the US. Touching on some 3,700 Sudanese population in Malaysia, which majority of them are students, Hamza Omer said he believed that Malaysia will continue to be Sudanese top choice for pursuing their undergraduate and postgraduate studies especially in engineering, social studies and computer sciences. “During sanctions, Malaysia is the best place for Sudanese students to pursue their studies overseas and for training because the US, and most western countries blocked us. Even now that the sanctions are lifted, it will not affect the number of our students here as we are now more familiar with Malaysia,” he said. The ambassador also invites Malaysians to pursue Islamic and Arabic language studies in Sudan, noting that the government offered scholarships for this purpose. Sudan established its embassy here in 1991, while Malaysia officially established its embassy in the capital, Khartoum on Sept 30, 1999. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA