Why not pair your durian feasting with a trip to an orchard or other fun tourist attractions? — JIM TEO/Unsplash
Tourism Malaysia recently launched its Durian Tourism 2023 Package campaign, and it is set run until the end of the fruit season in August.
Currently, under the campaign there are as many as 18 packages offered to tourists (as well as durian lovers) by 13 tour operators, which collaborate with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI). These packages not just promote the King of Fruits, but also promote rural and agricultural tourism in states like Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Pahang and Johor.
From day trips to visit orchards and other attractions, to five-day adventures that include transportation, accommodation and special excursions, the Durian Tourism 2023 Package campaign has something to offer every type of traveller. Some of the excursions and activities include, hiking, swimming, homestay experiences, stargazing and, of course, durian buffets.
The prices of these durian tours start from RM50 per person.
The packages are also promoted in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Brunei. The director of package development for Tourism Malaysia, Shahrin Mokhtar, said that the programme will hopefully help boost the country’s tourism industry even further.
Promoting nature tourism
Tourism Malaysia has also introduced its Arkeo Tourism Package campaign, which promotes the magnificent Lenggong Valley Geopark in Perak.
There are over 48 packages in the campaign, featuring attractions that focus on “archaeotourism” or archaeology tourism. Among the attractions are: The Lenggong Valley Geopark, a deer park, a heritage tour, and “Jelajah Gua & Makan Durian”.
Lenggong is one of Malaysia’s most important archaeological sites that was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2012.
Director-general of Tourism Malaysia Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar said that the initiative can serve as an economic driver for local communities, while preserving the natural surroundings of these attractions.
He added that an archaeological workshop held last year found that archaeological sites in the Lenggong Valley like Gua Kajang, Gua Teluk Kelawar, Bukit Sapi and Mata Air Telaga Biru could be developed into proper tourist attractions. – Gisele Soo
