Tourism Malaysia Looking At Edu-Tourism Products

PEKAN (Pahang, Malaysia), May 24 (Bernama) -- Education-related tourism products have the potential to attract local and international tourists. In this regard, Tourism Malaysia deputy director (Domestic and Marketing) Hishamuddin Mustafa said edu-tourism was the best concept to be highlighted. "Tourists don’t merely visit a place but will get to learn something about its history or significance. “The edu-tourism combination is also an important strategy for developing knowledgeable, skilled, creative and innovative human capital in the tourism and culture sector," he told Bernama after visiting Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)’s Chini Lake Research Centre (PPTC) here. PPTC is a Unesco heritage site. He said the publication of a book titled, 'Malaysia 101 Edu-tourism Packages' by Tourism Malaysia showed the government's commitment in identifying and gathering academic tourism products in the country. He said Tourism Malaysia would also publish the second version of the book, to add to the latest, titled, 'My Malaysia Experience'. Hishamuddin said universities could also help to promote edu-tourism through creating tour packages, which may also indirectly promote their institution to a wider target. "For example, Universiti Putra Malaysia offers visitors eight edu-tourism locations such as Putra Dairy Farm, Deer Farm, Equestrian Centre, Conservatory Park, Veterinary Anatomy Museum, Human Anatomy Museum, Serdang Gallery and Malay Heritage Museum,” he said. Meanwhile, PPTC head, Prof Dr Mushrifah Idris said the university forked out a substantial amount of fund for its projects to draw the interest of the public, particularly the young generation. -- BERNAMA