IT is a “win-win” situation for all. The Johor state government wants to work together with private corporations and non-governmental organisations to promote the arts to boost domestic tourism.
Once touted as a cultural desert, Johor now has several programmes to attract arts enthusiasts.
State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said this after launching the 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism (1MCAT) event at the Danga City Mall here on Saturday.
The national festival is a joint effort between the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and National Visual Arts Gallery.
Aimed at celebrating art and attracting more local and foreign art lovers to the country, the festival ends in December.
Tee said the nationwide event features the works of over 200 local artists.
“The event is in line with the ministry’s Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 agenda.
“In the event here, we are collaborating with the management of Danga City Mall which is providing the venue,” Tee said.
“It is a win-win situation for all as the event will draw visitors to the shopping mall and artists will have a platform to showcase and sell their works,” he added.
Also ongoing is the month-long JB Arts Festival which began on Sept 1.
Tee said JB Arts Festival, which is a showcase for the performing arts as well as 1MCat, is well-received by arts lovers.
The Johor state government, added Tee, had also organised Explore Johor in June, which was also promoted the state tourism industry.
Tee said that in conjunction with VMY 2014, the state is working closely with Tourism Malaysia and tourism-related agencies to offer packages like “learning to dive”, “agro and eco-tourism”, “beach and island hopping”, among others.