The Air Keroh gateway is among the landmark structures undergoing improvements. — Bernama
Local council improving facilities in Ayer Keroh and state zoo to attract more visitors
BEING the main gateway to Melaka, Ayer Keroh is gaining ground as a family holiday destination.
Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) president Datin Sapiah Haron said its main product, the Melaka Zoo, attracted 350,520 visitors last year up to Dec 20.
The zoo has more than 1,200 animals, comprising 214 animal species from South-East Asia, Africa and Australia.
“We are positive that Melaka Zoo will be on the destination checklist of visitors throughout the Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM 2024), with the target of increasing visitors between 10% and 20%,” Sapiah told Bernama.
She said improvements had been made to the exhibition space, habitat and collection of animals in the zoo.
Families can look forward to interesting activities such as programmes at the aviary, feeding the zebra, wallaby, giraffes, Eastern deer or banteng (bulls), and the petting zone.
Among the family activities lined up is the Melaka Zoo Charity Day, where donations collected will go towards covering the expenditure for animal feed and animal welfare.
Sapiah said billboards displaying selected poems would be installed at several locations to introduce the country’s cultural heritage to the younger generation.
Close-up of workers carrying out maintenance work on the gateway. — Bernama
The billboards will be set up at Ayer Keroh toll entrance, two around Seri Negeri (State Secretariat housing the Chief Minister’s office) and the Pantai Hospital intersection, she said.
“The poetry content, obtained from the Tun Perak Institute (ITP), will be changed every six months,” she added.
For relaxation activities at night, Sapiah said Leypark Station and Dataran Sejarah could become attractive locations for visitors after the lighting system and facilities were improved for the comfort of visitors.
The Ayer Keroh gateway and the giant urn were also given a facelift with a fresh coat of paint and lighting system installed to welcome the 18 million visitors expected to arrive in the state.
“We are upgrading infrastructure such as washrooms and wakaf around the gate to make it easier for visitors, especially those with small children, to refresh themselves before continuing their journey to other destinations after visiting Melaka,” said Sapiah.
She said several other tourism products under MPHTJ’s responsibility, such as the Botanic Garden and the Butterfly Garden, were also being upgraded.
“We are upgrading and improving jogging paths and toilets.
“We are also trimming overgrown tree branches to maintain safety for visitors,” she added.
Melaka Zoo offers free admission on Feb 20.
