KUALA LUMPUR: Over 20 countries will attend The International Tourism & Culture Exhibition and Conference (Intac) 2024, which will be held from Oct 3 to 6 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
"Since the promotional launch in March, it's heartening that within seven months over 20 countries have expressed their willingness to participate. This includes six nations that will grace us with cultural performances – a prospect we are greatly looking forward to," said Intac 2024 chairman Datuk Rosle Jaamat during a press conference on Wednesday (Aug 14).
"Countries such as Argentina and Mexico are sending cultural troupes for performances, heightening the excitement," he added.
He said the four-day event was anticipated to draw visitors of 100,000, with the first two days of conferences expected to attract 700 industry participants. The aim is to expand business networks through these enriching conference sessions.
Intac 2024 endeavours to promote tourism while celebrating the diversity of cultures in Malaysia. It serves as a convergence point for international industry leaders, cultural enthusiasts, and tourism experts to exchange, collaborate, and innovate towards sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Following a significant upsurge in the travel and tourism sector over the last two years, the upward trend is expected to persist. In 2023, Malaysia saw a commendable inflow of 20.1 million international visitors, generating RM71.3bil in revenue, thereby surpassing the projection of 16.1 million arrivals. This year, the country is aiming for 27.3 million tourists, hoping to earn RM102.7bil in tourism revenue.
In light of this positive outlook, Indonesia has been named the featured guest country for Intac 2024. With its extensive exhibit spanning 20 booths across 172 square metres, Indonesia will have the largest international presence at the event.
To date, Intac 2024 has confirmed the participation of countries including but not limited to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bosnia, France, Georgia, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Peru, Yemen, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Australia and Thailand.
With the potential to exceed the initial target of 20 international exhibitors, Inatac's inaugural event is poised to set a new precedent in its legacy.
The event has received overwhelming backing from several governmental bodies, especially the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, and key agencies such as Tourism Malaysia, Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, Langkawi Development Authority, Malaysian Timber Industry Board, Bumiputera Tourism Operators Association of Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
Intac 2024 will feature a rich tapestry of cultural performances, with acts from Kenya, Mexico, Yemen, and the Bajau Suluk ethnic group from Sabah. Detailed schedules will be available in the Intac programme.
The event will include a two-day International Tourism Conference, collaboratively organized by the Madani Research Centre and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The conference, open to the public and free of charge, will run from 10am to 6pm and will delve into pivotal issues and emerging opportunities within the tourism sector.
Also present were Madani Research Centre chief executive officer Mohd Azmi, Association of Bumiputera Tourism Operation of Malaysia president Wan Muhamad Adam and International Islamic University Malaysia Department of Tourism assistant professor Nur Shuhadah Mohd.
