KUALA NERUS: The annual ‘Visit Beautiful Terengganu’ tourism campaign received an added boost today when AirAsia started its inaugural flight to Kuala Terengganu emblazoned with a special livery today.
The Airbus A320 Flight AK6226 landed the Sultan Mahmud Airport here from Kuala Lumpur at 5.25pm carrying the ‘Let’s Fly to Terengganu’ design.
Calling it another success story, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said that the effort was a joint collaboration between the state government and the world-acclaimed budget carrier to promote the state.
“This is a big positive step to aggressively showcase and promote our beaches, idyllic islands, Tasik Kenyir, handicraft, customs and culture to local and international visitors.
“Of particular interest are the tourists from China, who are a very keen bunch to travel abroad, with Malaysia as one of the favoured destinations.
“The AirAsia direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru to Kuala Terengganu are a big boost for our tourism,” said Razif, adding that tourism was now the next biggest alternative revenue earner for the state.
He added that while the oil and gas sector contributed 85 per cent of the state’s revenue, tourism was catching up fast as a force multiplier.
Apart from the livery, Terengganu’s tourism products and services are also being prominently displayed inside the aircraft’s overhead baggage compartments, meal trays and ‘travel3sixty’ inflight magazine, at a cost of RM2 million over two years.
This particular aircraft will also fly to a host of AirAsia’s 130 destinations in 27 countries worldwide.
AirAsia will connect to Kuala Terengganu with 28 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur and thrice weekly from Johor Baru, which accounted for a total of 520,000 passengers last year.
“We must be bold to take challenges and be confident that these creative and innovative measures will provide a positive impact towards promoting Terengganu’s tourism products and services as international brands,” said Razif.
He added that AirAsia was also considering providing Terengganu Kitchen’s frozen T-Nasi Dagang and T-Keropok Lekor on its flights, along with sales of Terengganu’s batik and songket.
Razif said this followed the successful marketing of the two food items by supplier Brahim’s to Europe, among others.
Razif welcomed the passengers of the flight, who included travel and tours agents, and media members.
He then handed out goody bags containing the T-Nasi Dagang and T-Keropok Lekor, before boarding Flight AK6227 on the same aircraft to Kuala Lumpur at 5.50pm.
Also present were AirAsia Berhad director Datuk Aziz Bakar and its non-executive independent director Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, popularly known as Neelofa, who is a successful actress, model and entrepreneur.