Number of overnight tourists in Johor on the rise

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The number of overnight tourists in Johor rose by 8.2% last year to 6.95 million, compared to 6.42 million in 2014.

State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the totals comprised 4.38 million domestic tourists and 2.56 million foreign tourists last year, and 4.02 million domestic tourists and 2.4 million foreign tourists the previous year.

"Besides, the Tourism Malaysia's survey also showed that Johor had remained as one of the top three states having the highest number of overnight tourists in Malaysia last year," he said in reply to Hamimah Mansor (BN-Penawar) and Dr Zaini Abu Bakar (BN-Nusajaya) at the State Assembly sitting yesterday.

Hamimah and Dr Zaini had wanted to know whether there was an increase in tourist arrivals to the state amidst the uncertain global economy, and the steps taken by the state government to ensure consistent arrival of tourists.

Tee said the Johor government was also committed to attracting repeat tourists to the state and had taken the 'United Johor' approach to create a stable society, as well as peaceful and secured environment.

He said the state government had also identified new tourism products to provide tourists with many reasons to return to the state, in addition to offering the 'We Are The Host' course to tour operators to improve their quality of service. — Bernama