Johor actively promoting educational tourism

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government is actively promoting educational tours to encourage students from local and foreign higher learning institutions to visit tourism destinations in the country.
Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said there are several tourist destinations that can be showcased, including Tanjung Piai National Park, Taman Negara Pulau Kukup near Pontian, fruit orchards and the fireflies in Desaru near Kota Tinggi and lego robotics at the Legoland Theme Park, here.
"At the Endau-Rompin National Park near Mersing university students can also carry out jungle trekking, rafting, kayaking, hill climbing, camping and identifying flora and fauna species activities," he said.
He was replying to a question asked by Norshida Ibrahim (BN-Buloh Kasap) who wanted to know about the state's tourism product development plans based on education, at the Johor Legislative Assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar here today.
Tee said the concept of tourism combining recreation and education such as summer camps and motivational camps are popular in western countries. It is a programme of choice during school holidays.
Responding to a supplementary question from Norshida about homestay programmes as a tourism product based on education that could potentially be developed, Tee said homestays in Johor had attracted foreign students, particularly university students from Japan, South Korea and Europe. — Bernama