Malaysia’s tourism industry is expected to generate RM192 billion in revenue next year.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Mohamaddin Ketapi (above) said his ministry is confident of achieving its target of 30 million tourist arrivals next year, contributing about RM100 billion in revenue, with the balance to be contributed by domestic tourism.

“Kelantan is among the states expected to attract a higher number of foreign tourists to Malaysia. A total of 5.5 million tourists are expected to visit Kelantan this year. Tourist arrivals to the state will increase further next year and this will help boost the number of tourists coming to Malaysia,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after the closing ceremony of the Kelantan Folk Arts Festival (FKRK) 2019 in Tumpat today.

Also present were Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) director-general Norliza Rofli, Kelantan Culture, Tourism and Heritage Committee chairman Md Anizam Abd Rahman and Narathiwat deputy governor Patimoh Sadiyamon.

The FKRK, introduced in 2017, is one of nine cultural programmes listed in the cultural tourism calendar in nine states to highlight the unique local cultures as tourism products.

Among the activities held at the FKRK this year were Rebana Ubi, Kertuk and Dikir Barat competitions, and performances by the Kelantan Percussion Symphony Orchestra.

Meanwhile, Mohamaddin said his ministry is always open to proposals from state governments in the effort to revive the traditional art forms in their respective states.

“For instance, the Mak Yong (above) cultural performance has been allowed to be continue in Kelantan by mutual agreement. We would like to say thank you to (the) Kelantan (state government) for giving a new breath to Mak Yong. Now it can be watched at the Kelantan JKKN Auditorium,” he said.

The PAS government in Kelantan had previously banned Mak Yong, a dance-drama, in the state on the grounds that it had animist and Hindu-Buddhist roots.

- Bernama