KUALA TERENGGANU: Batik, a new cultural village, upgraded waterfront water taxis and 114 events, including 26 main ones, await visitors to Terengganu, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2020 (VMY2020).
The state was finalising its preparation to usher in the new year and believed that VMY2020 and the packages offered by the state and federal governments, especially the one-year visa-free entry for tourists from China and India, would draw more visitors.
“We can expect five million visitors next year and our hospitality industry, which experienced unusually high occupancy during the monsoon period, will be even busier entertaining guests next year,” said state Tourism, Culture and Information Technology Committee chairman Ariffin Deraman yesterday.
While batik will be one of the main products with Noor Arfa Batik anchoring promotions, a new cultural village located next to the State Museum will be opened in February and it will become a major attraction that will showcase Terengganu’s traditional houses, arts and crafts.
Ariffin said the water taxi services, which include a boat ride from Taman Tamadun Islam in Losong, and the Penambang passenger boats from Pasar Payang to Seberang Takir would be improved.
“Visitors will take the boat ride from the departure points to the iconic Terengganu drawbridge at the estuary,” he said, adding that the drawbridge had been a major draw, attracting close to 3,000 visits per day even at the height of the monsoon period.
For a more leisurely travel in town, trishaw riders were expected to be much sought-after by visitors who want to see more of the city close-up.
Kicking off the VMY2020 celebration would be a treasure hunt themed “Kembara Ku Terengganu Comel” from Kuala Terengganu to Kuala Berang in Hulu Terengganu, which had already registered 100 four-wheel drive vehicles. Participants would have to answer 60 questions related to Terengganu on Dec 31.
On New Year’s Eve, the state government will launch the 26 main events for next year, which include the TSG Shimano Fellowship Ride, Candat Sotong Carnival, International Paragliding Tournament, Drawbridge “Kolek” Festival, International CFA Cat Show, the Kenyir Festival and Sultan Mizan Cup.
Other interesting events are the Gamelan Music Competition, Sound and Taste of Terengganu, the Tenggiri Challenge, Perhentian Island Challenge, Terengganu Monsoon Challenge and Asean Monsoon Casting Challenge.
Ariffin said the New Year countdown would be held at the Duyong Marina Resort from 11.20pm on Dec 31 and people could meet members of the Terengganu football team, hockey team, and TSG cycling team.
