Saudi Arabia's Fossilised Forests Reveal Geological Wonders
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) this fossilised forest has become a popular destination for visitors and desert enthusiasts.
Scattered throughout the site are petrified trunks and branches embedded in a sedimentary layer, covered by strata from the late Permian period. These layers are distinct due to their dark brown, nearly black colour.
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The Sun
16 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
a day ago
- The Star
Bernama inks collaboration with HIMC to promote tourism, drive economic growth
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) formalised a strategic collaboration with Hainan International Media Center (HIMC) to enhance the promotion of Malaysia's tourism industry and stimulate economic growth. Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said the news agency is prepared to play an active role in showcasing distinctive local tourism offerings to attract more international visitors, especially from China. 'This marks the first collaboration between Bernama and HIMC to showcase Malaysia's tourism industry and investment landscape through media platforms. "They are eager to discover and help highlight local products and notable tourist destinations in Malaysia, such as the scenic beaches of Penang and Terengganu, to audiences in China," he told Bernama after the signing ceremony here on Friday (Aug 1). He said Malaysia would also serve as a strategic partner in promoting tourism in Hainan province, which offers more affordable travel options compared to other destinations. The partnership was formalised under the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Cultural Cooperation Alliance, which brings together HIMC and several Malaysian organisations, including Bernama, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Nanyang Siang Pau, MILA University, the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia, and the Malaysia Asean-China Economic and Trade Development Promotion Association. The alliance aims to foster closer collaboration between media and cultural organisations in Malaysia and China, focusing on supporting content co-production, talent development and policy coordination. Additionally, the alliance places a strong emphasis on youth collaboration, with institutions such as MILA University in Malaysia and the Lingshui Haifeng International Film and Television Base in Hainan, which cooperate on exchange programmes, creative workshops, and training initiatives to nurture regional talent. Meanwhile, HIMC's Senior Advisor on Hainan-Asean International Communication, Dr Pua Eng Teck, said Malaysia was chosen as a strategic hub due to its strong historical and cultural ties with the Malaysian Chinese community, particularly in the fields of business, culture and information exchange. 'Kuala Lumpur is the central city of Malaysia, offering strategic geographical advantages and greater opportunities to foster people-to-people and business-to-business connections,' he said. Beyond business collaboration, Dr Pua also highlighted the benefits for students, especially those from China pursuing higher education in Malaysia. 'HIMC plays a key role not just in promoting cultural ties, but also in supporting educational exchange. It provides a strong platform for Chinese students studying in Malaysia to engage more deeply with local communities and institutions,' he added. – BERNAMA
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
13MP roadmap to boost Malaysia tourism sector by 2030
KUALA LUMPUR: Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has hailed the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) as a strategic roadmap to elevate tourism into a high-income and sustainable sector. With Visit Malaysia 2026 on the horizon, Tiong emphasised that the plan reflects the government's dedication to industry growth and nationwide benefits. During Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's parliamentary presentation, the tourism sector's strong recovery was highlighted, with foreign visitors contributing RM102.2 billion in 2024. 'This achievement is promising, and under the 13MP, we aim to increase tourism's GDP contribution to 16 percent by 2030,' Tiong stated. A key initiative involves establishing Special Tourism Investment Zones (STIZ) in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Sarawak. 'Forty-three potential sites have been identified as of June 2025. We will expedite implementation with relevant agencies,' he added. Tiong also praised the focus on rural tourism, particularly homestays, which provide income opportunities for local communities while showcasing Malaysia's cultural diversity. Aviation expansion is another priority, with plans to introduce 178 new aircraft by 2030 to enhance regional connectivity. Infrastructure projects in East Malaysia, including the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road and Pan Borneo Highway, were noted as crucial for tourism growth. Tiong concluded by thanking the Prime Minister for his support, reaffirming MOTAC's commitment to making Malaysia a top-tier sustainable tourism destination. - Bernama
