JOHOR BARU: The 13-day Johor Craft Festival 2023, which kicked off yesterday, is projected to generate more than RM8mil in revenue.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry's deputy secretary-general (Culture) Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff said the projected sales target would be met once the festival ends on Jan 1, next year.
He also expects about 95,000 visitors to the festival.
"With the participating 188 craft entrepreneurs' work, which is reasonably priced and well-crafted, I am confident to meet the projected sales target," he said.
"It will also be a place where people, including foreigners, will flock since there is a diverse range of high-quality Malaysian craft products," he said during a walkabout session at the festive co-organised by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, held at Plaza Angsana's Padang Akasia, here, today.
Also present was Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation director-general Ainu Sham Ramli.
Yusri said the influx of Singaporean and Indonesian tourists to Johor due to the ongoing school holiday season and festivals will further enhance the robust sales prospects.
Johor Craft Festival 2023 is a platform for local craft entrepreneurs to promote and market their craft products to locals and tourists.
This year's festival hosts 188 craft entrepreneurs showcasing various craft fields, including textile crafts, particularly batik, forest products, land products, metal products, and various crafts.
The festival is laden with various activities tailored for visitors, including a children's batik colouring competition, a gasing (spinning top) tournament, a glamorous kebaya batik contest, a Malaysian batik tug-of-war, and a Malaysian-themed dress-up day.
Last year, the festival generated RM7 million, meeting the target.