20% drop in tourist arrivals to KL

DBKL working hard to implement programmes and promotional campaigns to improve city's image.

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) is intensifying efforts and organising more programmes to increase the number of tourist arrivals to the city after seeing a 20 per cent drop earlier this year.

City mayor Mhd Amin Abd Aziz said DBKL had to work hard in implementing its programmes and promotional campaigns, as well as improving the image of the city.

“There was a drop of about 20 per cent in the number of tourist arrivals, as well as in hotel reservations in the city. So, we have to be able to offer more and think of amazing things that can lure tourists to come because having beautiful and unique skyscrapers can no longer do the trick.

“I have met with several associations of hotels, airlines and travel agencies and most of them agree that the number of tourist arrivals to the city is on the decline,” he told a press conference on the Kuala Lumpur Fruit Fiesta 2015 here today.

He said despite the global economic slowdown, it was hoped that the efforts taken by the DBKL would be able to boost the national tourism industry.

Meanwhile, he said about 5,000 local and foreign visitors were expected to flock to the Kuala Lumpur Fruit Fiesta 2015 to be held for the first time at Taman Dusun Bandar (Urban Orchard Park) in Jalan Bellamy here on December 11 and 12.

He said there were about 2,000 trees of various fruits in the orchard.

“Visitors will have the chance to enjoy various types of fruits for free during the ‘happy hour’, that is from 10am till noon or from 2pm to 4pm,” he said, adding that the programme also had vast potential to be turned into an eco-tourism product.

Other activities lined up for the two-day fiesta, themed ‘A Celebration of Taste’ were environmental education programmes, garden clinics and fruit sales.

– BERNAMA