Perak leads in domestic tourism for 2024 with 10.2 million visitors
The state tourism committee chairman said, according to the Statistics Department, Perak welcomed 10.2 million local tourists, followed by Selangor and Pahang with 9.6 million and 9.5 million respectively last year.
Loh attributed the achievement partly to the Visit Perak Year 2024 campaign.
"It proves the effectiveness of the campaign and the efforts of all those involved.
"The synergy and cooperation between the state and federal agencies, the industry players, and the people are key to the achievement," he said at a press conference after attending the first-ever Car Free Day programme in Kampar on Saturday (June 21).
Loh said the 10.2 million domestic tourists last year represented a 36.1% increase compared to 7.5 million in 2023.
He noted that in terms of domestic visitors, 21.8 million people came to Perak in 2024 compared to 17.1 million in 2023.
"Domestic tourists are those who stayed at least one night in Perak, while domestic visitors also included day-trip tourists," he added.
The top five districts visited included Kinta, followed by Larut and Matang, Manjung, Kuala Kangsar, and Batang Padang.
"The top five destinations are Teluk Batik, Lumut Waterfront, Ipoh Night Market, Gunung Lang Recreational Park, and Pangkor Island," he said.
Loh said the state hopes to maintain the momentum for next year, with it being Visit Malaysia 2026.
"It's going to be a free-for-all between all states to vie for tourists," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Legoland Malaysia eyes growth with JS-SEZ and tourism initiatives
ISKANDAR PUTERI: Legoland Malaysia is positioning itself to benefit from growing cross-border activity within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) alongside increasing tourism initiatives ahead of the Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY 2026) campaign. Legoland Malaysia Resort vice-president Cs Lim said the rising prominence of the JS-SEZ as an economic gateway between Johor and Singapore presents Legoland Malaysia with new growth opportunities to attract more tourists in the coming years. 'If this initiative grows and more companies set up or relocate here, it will naturally bring more people to the area. 'When that happens, we can expect more visitors coming to explore the surroundings, including Legoland Malaysia,' he told Bernama after officiating the new Miniland Singapore here on Friday. The event was jointly officiated by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs vice-consul Lim En Wei and Johor Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (MOTAC) director Nurazlin Abu Talib. First introduced in 2012, Legoland Malaysia's Miniland Singapore has been reimagined in celebration of Singapore's 60th anniversary. The refreshed attraction features 16 impressive new models built from over 1.5 million Lego bricks. Highlights include iconic landmarks such as the Marina Bay Sands, the Singapore Flyer, the Merlion Fountain, as well as the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. Meanwhile, Lim said Legoland Malaysia has continued to reinvest in facilities and attractions to enhance visitor experience and stay competitive in the evolving tourism landscape. He said Legoland's role in drawing domestic and international visitors is expected to further support economic activity in Johor. He added that the company has seen a steady increase in visitors over the years, buoyed by strong demand from its resident market, namely Malaysia and Singapore, which account for about 60 per cent of total visitors. The remaining 40 per cent comprises tourists from Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Australia and South Korea, among others. Lim said Legoland Malaysia remains upbeat about its outlook for the second half of the year and into next year, which will see both VJY 2026 and Visit Malaysia 2026 campaigns running concurrently. 'We're already making preparations, including fine-tuning our queuing and ordering systems, and we are also making sure that we have sufficient technical expertise at hand,' he added. - Bernama
The Star
10 hours ago
- The Star
A matter of safety net
A WOMAN who wants to conquer the world must first be able to sign her own cheque book. That's what my grandmother drummed into my head when I was growing up. My grandmother had felt strongly that women should work, even if they had the luxury of being ladies of leisure. My grandmother, a mother of 10, was a housewife. As my grandfather was attentive, and my aunts and uncles filial, she was never in want. But she was well aware that not all women were as fortunate. That was why she constantly reminded her granddaughters on the importance of being independent. There were numerous benefits of earning one's keep, she'd tell me. First is the liberation from not having to depend on others. Second is the sense of purpose; an idle mind is the devil's workshop, while an active one is a sanctuary for progress and wisdom. Lastly, you will get to have the final say. From a solo holiday trip right down to the kind of rims you'd like your car tyres to sport, the choice could be yours alone to make and enjoy. As of February 2024, the Labour Force report by the Statistics Department showed that among women in the country, the percentage who are working was only 56.5% while for men, the figure stood at 83.1%, highlighting the gender gap in the country. A 2023 survey conducted by Selangor government through the Selangkah app revealed that one of the main reasons women did not join the workforce was family responsibilities, which included childcare. Selangor women empowerment and welfare committee chairman Anfaal Saari, while speaking at an Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Women's Day event, said 13% of women in the survey stated inflexible working hours made it difficult for them to hold on to a job and meet their family's needs at the same time. 'Another 13% said they wanted to emphasise quality care and the safety of their children,' said Anfaal. The percentage of Selangor women who are unpaid family workers was also the highest in Malaysia at 20%, she added. I recently attended a workshop to develop the full potential of women in the workplace. It was organised by a voluntary organisation which focusses on facilitating 30% women representation on the boards of companies listed on Bursa Malaysia. During discussions to exchange ideas, gain insights and receive guidance on navigating the path to leadership, out popped the usual topic of guilt in leaving one's children in the care of others when reporting to work. One participant, who is a development associate of a company, summed up the situation beautifully. 'Those who are bold enough to embrace change are the ones who have what it takes to be in leadership roles and enjoy the perks that come with it, such as being able to afford better education opportunities for their children,' she said. A mother-of-two, who is now a partner of an international accounting firm, said it all boiled down to personal choice. While she works in Kuala Lumpur, her family resides in Penang. To see her family, she has to frequently travel to and fro. Many women in the working world are mothers, a company chief operating officer said. 'It is not wrong to choose your family. Whatever you decide, that is the right decision,' she said. However, it must also be remembered that women who are financially independent will always have a safety net for themselves. It will also give them the mandate to make important decisions for the family, from the quality of care for ageing parents to leaving lasting legacies for their own children. Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, the Government aims to raise female labour force participation to 60% by 2030 through measures such as expanded childcare, reskilling and gender-inclusive workplace initiatives.
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
UMS Integration moving up supply chain, expanding Penang operations
KUALA LUMPUR: UMS Integration Ltd is ramping up its push into the artificial intelligence (AI) and high‑performance computing supply chain, eyeing higher‑value precision components and expanding its Penang facilities as part of a five‑year growth roadmap following its landmark secondary listing on Bursa Malaysia today. CEO Luong Andy said the Singapore‑headquartered precision engineering specialist, which already counts two major semiconductor clients among its key customers, sees 'tremendous opportunities' in advanced packaging solutions critical for AI chips, a segment driving global capital expenditure in semiconductors. 'We are moving up the semiconductor value chain and see many opportunities, especially in AI and high‑performance computing, where we have the know‑how and capability to produce the precision components needed,' Luong told reporters after the listing ceremony. The company's shares opened at RM5.15, 3% above the reference price of RM5, and traded as high as RM5.39 in early deals, valuing UMS Integration at about RM3.7 billion. The counter, categorised under the Industrial Products and Services sector on Bursa Malaysia, closed at RM5.50 a share. Executive director Stanley Loh Meng Chong said UMS Integration is doubling down on Penang, where it operates its largest production plant, to support growing orders for advanced semiconductor equipment. The company recently acquired additional land in Penang and plans to begin construction next year, adding about 200,000 sq ft to reach 1 million sq ft in total manufacturing space within the next two to three years. 'Penang remains central to our volume manufacturing strategy. This expansion will support key customers' ramp‑up in operations, especially for advanced node manufacturing and packaging linked to AI chips,' Loh said, adding that Malaysia's accessibility and talent pool make it a preferred base for scaling production. UMS Integration's secondary listing on Bursa Malaysia was undertaken by way of introduction, meaning no new funds were raised. The company retains its primary listing on the Singapore Exchange, where it last traded at S$1.52. Luong said the dual‑listing strategy is aimed at enhancing liquidity and providing 'flexibility to tap different equity markets' for future fundraising if needed. 'This listing broadens our investor base and positions us better to access capital when opportunities arise,' he noted. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, UMS Integration posted S$57.7 million in revenue, up 7% year‑on‑year, with net profit edging up to S$10.1 million. The semiconductor segment contributed 84% of revenue, followed by aerospace at 11%. The group remains in a net cash position of S$81.4 million and continues its policy of quarterly dividends, paying S$0.01 per share in July. UMS Integration has historically been reliant on one major customer but is now balancing its portfolio with a second key client of comparable size. Loh said this diversification, coupled with demand from AI‑driven chipmakers, is expected to underpin growth in 2025 and beyond. 'We believe this year will be better than last, and the years to come will also benefit from the trend of higher equipment spending,' he said. While research and development remains anchored in Singapore, Loh said Malaysia will continue to absorb most of the group's manufacturing investments, with Penang serving as its volume hub for global customers. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, who officiated at the ceremony, hailed the cross‑border listing as a milestone for Malaysia's capital market and a signal of growing economic integration between Malaysia and Singapore. She said UMS Integration's move underscored confidence in the robustness of Bursa Malaysia's infrastructure, investor depth and governance standards, while aligning with the government's ambitions to position the country as a hub for regional and international listings. Lim highlighted Penang's pivotal role in UMS Integration's growth story, noting how the company's expansion has paralleled the state's rise as a global semiconductor and advanced manufacturing hub. 'UMS Integration's continued investment has not only enhanced Penang's manufacturing ecosystem but also created high‑value jobs and opportunities, aligned with the Penang 2030 vision to attract quality, future‑forward investment,' she said. She added that Malaysia's regulatory ecosystem is evolving to support innovation, digitalisation and sustainable finance, and expressed hope that UMS Integration's secondary listing would inspire other regional players with Malaysian ties to consider a presence on Bursa Malaysia. 'This milestone reflects our broader aspiration to connect Asean businesses with global investors, while driving high‑tech and capital‑intensive sectors critical to the region's growth,' Lim said.
