Datuk Seri Dr. Ismail Bakar
KUALA LUMPUR: The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry is stepping up efforts to further develop the agro-tourism sector to achieve the target of 12 million tourist arrivals in the country next year.
The ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar said there were currently 83 agrotourism locations in the country.
“We have various types of agrotourism that can be promoted, such as homestays, Shah Alam National Botany Park, the Malaysian Agriculture and Research Development Institute (MARDI) Agrotechnology Centres in Langkawi and the Cameron Highlands, as well as the Malaysian Agriculture Exposition Park (MAEPS) in Serdang,” he told Bernama after appearing as a guest on the Bernama News Channel’s Nine11 programme here today.
Ismail said agrotourism had become one of the initiatives by the ministry to help increase farmers’ income, through which it would create employment opportunities for the locals.
“Agrotourism operators can hold various activities to attract tourists, and in doing so, they create employment opportunities to others,” he said.
He said those wanting to get more information on places of agrotourism could contact the ministry’s agrotourism division at 03-88701794 or the state information offices.
“Tour operators keen to venture into agrotourism sector can also contact us for assistance,” he added. – Bernama