Perlis aims high with ecotourism focus

DESPITE its status as the nation’s smallest state, Perlis has big plans to succeed in tourism with its inaugural “Visit Perlis 2024” campaign.

Boasting its ecotourism attractions now including the entire state’s accreditation as a national geopark (geology park), Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli said the state is not holding back in its quest to be recognised as a major tourism destination, similar to the likes of Penang and Langkawi.

“If we do it well, Perlis geopark can become the best in the country. We will strive,” Shukri said after receiving a courtesy visit by the Kedah / Perlis chapter of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) delegates.

The chapter was led by its chairman Eugene Alan Dass (the general manager of Star City / Fuller Hotel Group), Putra Berasmana Kuala Perlis hotel general manager Saiful Nizam Ahmad, Aloft Pantai Tengah general manager Adrian Chua and De Greenish Village Langkawi general manager L’wrence Cheah as well as representatives from Fyna Motel and Metro Inn Arau.

Shukri said that Perlis welcomed investments in the hospitality sector, especially from international chains, as the state was serious about promoting the world of leisure.

The secretary of the state’s economic planning division, Puteh Soraya A. Rahman, said that last year, the state was confident of attaining its target of 3.5 million visitors after it recorded some four million visitors in 2022.

Perlis used to be regarded as a state just for transit (stopovers) before visitors headed either to Langkawi (Kedah) or Padang Besar (near southern Thailand).

This has since changed with the help of geopark specialists who have come to highlight the state’s ecotourism rock wonders through Gua Kelam and the Timah Tasoh Dam.

There are also the seasonal mangoes of the “harum manis” species, seen as one of the country’s best mangoes.

The state has also cultivated many biking trails and cave exploration packages.

Earlier, Dass offered the support of MAH members to make the Visit Perlis campaign a success for the state.

He also hopes that the local authorities can regulate the numerous homestays which have emerged in Perlis.

There are only eight bona fide registered hotels under MAH, but Dass has learnt that more than 50 homestays are operating around the state.

“We have no qualms about them operating but they should be regulated just like MAH members are, where they are fully licensed with a high standard of security and safety for their guests,” said Dass. – The Vibes, January 20, 2024