She said the first festival in 2010 recorded 42,000 visitors and about RM14 million in art sales throughout the three-month festival from July to September.

“One of the most significant turn of events during the festival was the success of the Henry Butcher Art Auction, a first in Malaysia, which recorded sales of RM1.7 million in a single afternoon with 90 per cent of the works of arts sold,” she said when launching 1MCAT 2012, here Wednesday.

Ng said everybody did not expect that the festival would be a success when she raised the idea a couple of years ago but now, the sales exceeded everyone’s expectation.

She said the festival was initiated to diversify Malaysia’s tourism product offerings and establish Malaysia as a reputable destination for art aficionados in the region to enjoy and acquire comtemporary art, with museum quality pieces.