Tourism is one of the hardest hit sectors of the Covid-19 pandemic, but Tourism Selangor may have just found a way to bounce back.
Its Pusing Selangor Dulu campaign, announced in June, will be extended until next year.
Tourism Selangor began promoting the slogan after Tourism Malaysia allowed for the opening of the tourism sector on June 10. The catchy phrase has caught on even though the official launch is only in the middle of next month.
Tourism Selangor general manager Azrul Shah Mohamad said the Pusing Selangor Dulu campaign was to entice local residents to explore the state.
“We had several options, but Pusing Selangor Dulu seems to resonate with the people as we have had an overwhelming response,” said Azrul.
According to him, most hotels and homestays in the state are fully booked since June 10.
Speaking on the sidelines at the launch of the inaugural Selangor Golf Classic yesterday, Azrul said there are many wondrous things to do in Selangor.
“We have ecotourism, agrotourism, education tourism, sports tourism, medical tourism and many more,” said Azrul, who added golf tourism is a main focus of the body.
“There are 29 registered golf courses in Selangor – the most in any state. Since the lifting of restrictions under RMCO (Recovery Movement Control Order), most of the clubs have been fully booked.”
Azrul said one of the reasons why Tourism Selangor is focusing on golf is the fact it has become a ‘family activity’.
“Most times, families travel together even though most of the time only the father plays. The mother and children then go visit nearby theme parks or shopping malls and of course the eateries.”
This is one of the reasons why Tourism Malaysia is the title sponsor of the Selangor Golf Classic, an amateur event which will see 100-120 golfers vying for the top prize.
Azrul revealed Selangor collected RM21.8 million in tourism tax last year.
“While we can’t make that back, promoting travel within the state will help the economy.”
Last year’s Domestic Tourism Survey Report from the Department of Statistics showed Selangor was first in domestic tourist arrivals with a staggering 33.6 million. Next are Kuala Lumpur (22.6 million), Sabah (22 million), Perak (21.1 million) and Sarawak (19.8 million).
And with Pusing Selangor Dulu now a buzzword, expect that number to rise in the coming years.
