PUTRAJAYA: FLORIA Putrajaya, which has been given royal status this year, will be upgraded and improved so that it is on par with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in the United Kingdom.
Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) president Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat said that by using the renowned UK flower show as a benchmark, next year’s event, Putrajaya Royal Floria Festival, could be among the best festivals in the world.
Aseh said fans of the Chelsea Flower Show which is held annually in central London, would have to purchase their tickets £80 (RM439) two months in advance.
“I hope that the Putrajaya Royal Floria Festival could achieve that standard and gain as much hype, even though we are only charging the public RM3 per visit,” Aseh told reporters, here yesterday.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, when opening the Floria Putrajaya on June 16 accorded the event with the royal status.
Aseh said the corporation is trying to turn the Putrajaya Royal Floria Festival into an international event.
“PPj will place the event in the international flower show calendar so that enthusiasts and visitors from abroad could visit the festival in Malaysia.
“Therefore, we are going to make a few improvements besides coming up with more creative activities so the public will visit the festival. This year’s festival ends on Sunday.”
He said the Floria event in Putrajaya has an advantage in terms of its venue space, as compared to Chelsea Flower Show.
Floria Putrajaya is held on a 11.73 hectare site. He said many visitors had given positive feedback to PPj on the annual festival.
“The corporation intends to use 50 per cent of the space to create additional parks and gardens, such as a winter garden or a four seasons garden in the upcoming festival.
He said the corporation was planning to establish a Putrajaya Royal Floria hotel as many avid flower fans would love to stay on, to appreciate the festival.
Aseh said he would be meeting with flower growers and other operators in Cameron Highlands, Pahang to discuss showcasing their flowers at the festival.
“Hopefully, that will attract more visitors to the festival and the federal administrative capital. ”
