SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan state government plans to set up the Port Dickson Beach Corp as part of its plans to bolster and manage tourism activities at the popular beach strip as well as boost earnings for the state.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said once set up, the firm will be responsible in maintaining cleanliness as well as organise events targeting local and international tourists.
“For starters, the state government will inject a seed fund for the corporation to operate and subsequently it will run independently as a lean and effective organisation tasked to solely promote Port Dickson as a top beach destination,” Mohamad told reporters here after the state’s weekly exco meeting.
Mohamad said the setting up of the corporation is now at the discussion level and once up and running, it will work closely with hotel operators, travel associations, and holiday and tour companies to draw up events such as the Port Dickson International Triathlon.
“For the corporation to (be) sustainable as well as finance the activities, maybe the hotel operators can contribute by imposing a surcharge on the room rates.
Mohamad wants the corporation, of which he will be chairman, to be managed well with enhanced focus on the beach as the Port Dickson local city council has a lot of things on its plate managing other duties such as maintaining cleanliness in the Port Dickson town.
“This concept is not new and is common in major cities such as in Frankfurt, Germany which has its own corporation to manage and fund the Frankfurt International Motor Show.
He added once the highway between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Port Dickson is completed, it will boost the beachfront’s popularity as the airport is only 15 minutes.