TERENGGANU: The upcoming Kuala Terengganu City Centre (KTCC) project is expected to attract more than RM2.6bil worth of tourism revenue into the state’s coffers.
State Tourism, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rahin Mohd Said said the project would be driven mostly by private sector investments with the state government providing infrastructure support, such as road construction and land reclamation.
“In 2009, the state’s tourism revenue amounted to about RM2.6bil. We expect the amount to at least double when the KTCC is in place in the next few years.
“The number of visitors to the state peaked at 3.5 million in 2008 but dwindled this year due to the global economic crisis,” he said in a statement, adding that he was confident KTCC would draw more tourists when it was completed.
Abdul Rahin said the project, to be launched by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said today, covered a 7km area from the centre of Sungai Terengganu.
“We expect the project to change the look and feel of Kuala Terengganu.
The project was conceptualised in 2004 under the East Coast Economic Region masterplan as a catalyst to rejuvenate economic activities here,” he said.
He also expressed his confidence that the project would benefit many quarters, especially the state’s tourism industry.
“The KTCC is designed to be one of the state’s main tourist attractions and will also provide facilities for domestic and foreign tourists.
“We have about 16,000 hotel rooms in the city and expect the number to increase to about 40,000 upon the KTCC’s completion,” he said, adding that the ultimate aim was to provide 100,000 rooms.
Abdul Rahin said the KTCC development included the construction of shopping malls, five-star hotels, international standard marina, cruise facilities and office buildings.
“We will promote the area as a tourism gateway featuring a royal township, waterfront destinations and a hub for meetings, conventions and exhibitions.
“There will also be a healthcare and wellness industry with world-class medical care and spa resorts,” he said.
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
farik@thestar.com.my
“In 2009, the state’s tourism revenue amounted to about RM2.6bil. We expect the amount to at least double when the KTCC is in place in the next few years.
“The number of visitors to the state peaked at 3.5 million in 2008 but dwindled this year due to the global economic crisis,” he said in a statement, adding that he was confident KTCC would draw more tourists when it was completed.
Abdul Rahin said the project, to be launched by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said today, covered a 7km area from the centre of Sungai Terengganu.
“We expect the project to change the look and feel of Kuala Terengganu.
The project was conceptualised in 2004 under the East Coast Economic Region masterplan as a catalyst to rejuvenate economic activities here,” he said.
He also expressed his confidence that the project would benefit many quarters, especially the state’s tourism industry.
“The KTCC is designed to be one of the state’s main tourist attractions and will also provide facilities for domestic and foreign tourists.
“We have about 16,000 hotel rooms in the city and expect the number to increase to about 40,000 upon the KTCC’s completion,” he said, adding that the ultimate aim was to provide 100,000 rooms.
Abdul Rahin said the KTCC development included the construction of shopping malls, five-star hotels, international standard marina, cruise facilities and office buildings.
“We will promote the area as a tourism gateway featuring a royal township, waterfront destinations and a hub for meetings, conventions and exhibitions.
“There will also be a healthcare and wellness industry with world-class medical care and spa resorts,” he said.
By FARIK ZOLKEPLI
farik@thestar.com.my
No comments:
Post a Comment