JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has announced efforts to strengthen the state's tourism sector through strategic collaboration with Qatar during a two-day working visit to the country.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said that the visit, inspired by the vision of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, aimed to align with the state’s development agenda.
The delegation from Johor, led by Onn Hafiz, met with Qatar Tourism chairman and Visit Qatar board chairman His Excellency Saad Ali Al Kharji.
Discussions focused on exploring joint initiatives in tourism infrastructure, international-standard hotels, and knowledge exchange in tourism development.
“Qatar Tourism has successfully created iconic destinations such as the Museum of Islamic Art and the Qatar National Museum, which are now major global attractions.
“Johor has vast potential in its historical, cultural, and natural assets, including the islands of Mersing, the pristine beaches of Desaru, and its national parks,” said Onn Hafiz in a statement here on Wednesday (Jan 8).
He added that Johor could emulate Qatar’s achievements by leveraging its resources to create world-class tourism products, which could significantly boost the economy of both regions.
The collaboration with Qatar Tourism is expected to open opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic growth, helping Johor position itself as a global tourism destination.
“As part of our vision for Johor to achieve developed state status by 2030, these initiatives aim to place Johor firmly on the world tourism map, offering unique, international-standard experiences to visitors,” he said.
The Mentri Besar expressed confidence in the success of these efforts, emphasising that with the support of all stakeholders, Johor could achieve its goal of becoming a premier international tourism destination by 2030.