5 MILLION ARRIVALS TO PERAK

PERAK is expecting about five million tourists during Visit Perak Year 2012. How they will monitor this number is everyone's guess.

Senior state executive councillor Datuk Hamidah Osman said this would generate massive economic benefits for Perak, both for the state coffers and its people. Hamidah, who is in charge of the state's tourism portfolio, said Visit Perak Year 2012 was expected to generate about RM5 billion from tourist spending. The projection is made on the basis of each visitor spending about RM1,000 during a visit.

"The state government has spent a lot of money to promote the Visit Perak Year 2012 and the allocation for the promotion will be increased to promote the campaign vigorously," she said after meeting a group of about 20 hoteliers and travel and tour operators here recently.

It is learnt that the state government had spent up to RM7.5 million this year for the promotions and expected to spend RM18 million next year.

Thirty-six core activities have been planned for Visit Perak Year 2012 including the Asian Junior Golf Team Championship from Jan 8 to 10, Sultan Azlan Shah hockey tournament (Feb 2-12), "Larian Bendang" (Half Marathon) "Menara Condong" (March 11), Pangkor Sea Fest (April 27-May 3), Spinning Top Open Championship (May 5), Perak 4x4 International Challenge (June 2 and 3), Perak Iron Bound Challenge (July 7 and 8), Royal Belum International Rainforest Adventure (Oct1-7) and Powerman Malakoff Perak (Nov 11).

Beside these, Hamidah said the state Culture and Arts Department would also be organising cultural events including traditional dances on a weekly basis to showcase Perak's sublime attractions. She said to attract hoteliers to take a more active part in promoting the Visit Perak Year, a competition would be held to judge the best hotel lobby in Perak.