KUALA NERUS: The mass media has been urged to aggressively promote the tourism industry which has vast potential to continue be a major revenue earner for the country.
Making the call, Terengganu Tourism and Culture Committee deputy chairman II Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abdul Rahman said unlike many other natural resources like oil and gas, tourism assets like beaches, idyllic islands, lakes, waterfalls and nature parks were abundant and would not be depleted.
"Terengganu, for instance, is blessed with such natural, beautiful and romantic assets which are a boon to the state's tourism industry and a potential major revenue earner.
"Similarly, there are many such natural assets throughout the country which can be tapped to bring in foreign exchange," he said at the launch of the 'Visit Beautiful Terengganu Campaign Special Supplement with the NSTP' during 'Expo Terengganu 2018' at the state sports complex in Gong Badak.
The campaign was organised jointly by the Terengganu government and its Tourism Department.
Present were Terengganu tourism director Tun Feisal Tun Abdul Razak, NSTP chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hamid and NSTP group editor-in-chief Datuk Yushaimi Maulud Yahaya.
Zaihan said that Terengganu had much to offer to visitors like the flora and fauna in Tasik Kenyir, as well as adventures such as snorkelling and scuba diving activities at its islands in the South China Sea, and not to mention its handicraft, culture, customs and heritage.
"We, too, have become famous for our ICT (ikan celup tepung) and KLCC (keropok lekor cicok colek), apart from our famous nasi dagang. There are dozens of varieties of traditional food at all our eight districts which are bound to intrigue your taste buds," he said.
He added that 'Expo Terengganu 2018' was part of the 'Visit Beautiful Terengganu' campaign launched last year and which was a precursor to the 'Visit Malaysia 2020' envisioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"In years to come, Terengganu's tourism will be boosted upon the completion of the East Coast Rail Link which will offer faster rail travel that will connect the east coast peninsula states with the Klang Valley.
"This will also contribute significantly to trade and commerce as cargo supplies can also be ferried more speedily, while there will be jobs aplenty created by the ECRL project," he said.
On the NSTP tourism supplement, Zaihan added that it would be available in the dual language of English and Bahasa Malaysia and would provide a detailed guide to visitors of Terengganu's tourism assets and activities.
He lauded the initiative by NSTP and Media Prima Bhd for its foresight and vision towards assisting Terengganu to publicise its tourism and help generate income for the state.