Terengganu plans to hold 22 tourism, cultural events this year

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 11 -- The Terengganu government has planned 22 major tourism and culture-related events for this year despite still facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Tourism, Culture and Digital Technology Committee chairman Ariffin Deraman said they included squid jigging activity, which is very popular in Terengganu and is held from April to July every year, Kenyir Festival at Tasik Kenyir and Terengganu Cultural Carnival.

“It is hoped that these activities will help us achieve the target of three million tourists to Terengganu this year. We hope these activities can be implemented. Last year, we also had a ‘Calendar of Events’ but nothing was held because of the pandemic, which resulted in the ban on interstate travel,” he said.

He told reporters this after witnessing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Terengganu Incorporated (Terengganu Inc) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Terengganu Branch.

Ariffin added the state government would review the target of three million tourist arrivals in 2022 within the first six months as the country was still tackling the pandemic.

"We set the three million (target) previously because the situation was still unstable then. If we can exceed the target, it would be great. Once the COVID-19 situation stabilises, we will review the target…let’s see how things pan out in the first six months,” he said.

Earlier, based on the MoU signed today, hotels under Terengganu Inc will not only be able to provide training placements to UiTM students but also have the opportunity to send their employees to continue their studies or improve their skills at the university.

Terengganu Inc was represented by its president and executive director Burhanuddin Hilmi Mohamed@ Harun while UiTM Terengganu Branch was represented by its Rector, Prof Dr Mazidah Puteh.

Terengganu Inc is the parent company of Hotel Primula Beach and Hotel Permai in Kuala Terengganu, and it also manages two other hotels under the Terengganu government, namely Duyong Marina & Resort and Hotel Paya Bunga.

-- BERNAMA