KJ tells tourism ministry to capitalise on F1 opportunity

 The former minister says concerts, conferences and business events should be held around the race to encourage visitors to stay longer.

Khairy Jamaluddin (left) and Shahril Hamdan say Malaysia should capitalise on Formula One’s return to the Sepang International Circuit by organising concerts, conferences and other events to maximise tourism and economic benefits.

PETALING JAYA:

Khairy Jamaluddin has urged the tourism, arts and culture ministry (Motac) to make the most of Formula One’s return to Sepang, saying Malaysia must not treat it as merely a three-day motor race.

The former minister said the country had been handed a rare “economic stimulus” after the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), and the ministry should work with hotels, airlines, event organisers and businesses to organise activities before and after the race.

He said concerts, conferences, corporate events and other attractions could encourage foreign visitors to extend their stay and spend more.

“Don’t mess it up. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he said on the Keluar Sekejap podcast.

“It is not just about the race. It is about all the events that can take place in the week before and the week after,” he said.

The Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be held in Sepang from Oct 2 to 4 after tensions in West Asia forced its relocation from Bahrain.

Podcast co-host Shahril Hamdan said Singapore had successfully turned its Formula One race into a broader tourism and business event by hosting concerts, conferences and networking events around it.

He cited the Milken Institute Asia Summit, which attracts business leaders, investors and policymakers, as an example Malaysia could emulate.

Khairy said the Singapore Grand Prix had generated more than S$2.2 billion in additional tourism receipts and attracted over 720,000 international visitors since 2008.

The former youth and sports minister said Malaysia already had a major advantage in the SIC, which is highly regarded by drivers and racing fans.

The government must now ensure the race delivers broader economic benefits for hotels, restaurants, airlines, retailers and tourism operators, he said. - FMT