RAUB: Pahang has benefited from home stay activities with 12 of such projects earning revenue totalling RM790,000 for the first six months of this year.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the home stay operators received cash payment from its customers to sustain their business.
Dr Ng said statistics showed that the tourism sector recorded a considerable growth over the past year, including tourist’s arrival both locals and foreigners.
“Last year, some 9,444,370 tourists who visited Pahang as compared to 7,712,663 tourists in 2008.
Going green: Ng (right) planting a tree during the launching of the 1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean campaign at Taman Tasik JPS in Raub recently.
“In Raub alone, there are 39,683 visitors last year, up from 38,770 in 2008.
“The figure does not include visitors to Fraser’s Hill that rose from 46,211 in 2008 to 109,038 last year,” she said at the launch of the ‘1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean’ campaign at Taman Tasik JPS near here recently.
Also present were Batu Talam assemblyman Datuk Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, Pahang Tourism Malaysia director Amran Abdul Rahman and Pahang Tourism Ministry Office director Idros Yahya.
Dr Ng, who is also Raub MP, said her ministry had received numerous feedback from foreign visitors that Malaysia had the potential to be one of the international tourist destinations.
She said among the attractions were its multi-racial composition, natural resources, cultural performances, variety of food and various shopping malls to cater to the different needs of visitors.
“In this regard, all parties must co-operate and work together to promote the country to the world and to entice repeat visitors.
“Today’s programme is one of the initiatives to create an awareness among the public on the need to preserve the natural environment and cleanliness of our surroundings,” she said.
Dr Ng said it was the responsibility of all citizens to safeguard cleanliness by not throwing rubbish indiscriminately.
She said the local authorities should also carry out beautification work regularly to improve the landscape by planting trees and flowers to provide a conducive and soothing environment for visitors.