Tourism Johor targets five million foreign tourists arrivals to Johor

KULAI, April 1 (Bernama) -- A total of five million foreign tourists are expected to arrive in Johor till December this year after the country’s borders reopened today.

Johor Tourism director Suhairi Hashim said from the total, around a million Singapore tourists are expected to visit the state this month.

“We are targeting five million foreign tourist arrivals to the state till the end of this year, and we based this on 50 per cent of tourist arrivals in 2019, which was 10 million foreign tourists.

“In the period of these two weeks, there will be a surge of Singaporean tourists who will come over to shop, especially during Ramadan month and Syawal,” he told reporters after welcoming the first flight from abroad at the Senai International Airport here today.

Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dr R. Santhara Kumar was also present to welcome Flight AK1491 from Ho Chi Minh (SGN) that was carrying 90 passengers from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam.

According to Suhairi, the state government will cooperate with airlines to ensure there are more international, regional and domestic flights to Johor.

“These six months are the best period for us to see changes in terms of tourist arrivals to Johor, compared to pre-pandemic situations, including those from Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.

“We will also try to bring Chinese and Middle Eastern tourists to the state, and we are in the midst of discussions with airlines in those countries,” he said.

He added that various preparations have been made to boost tourist activities in the state, including providing courses and training to industry operators, especially those in the homestay sector.

“This is because previously, homestays have been lagging behind slightly but this year we will try to intensify promotions as Johor has 27 village areas that can be developed as pioneer projects to develop the homestay sector in the state,” he said.

Meanwhile, Santhara Kumar said thanks to the reopening of borders, incoming tourists would boost the tourism sector in Johor, which would help the local economy.

-- BERNAMA