GENTING HIGHLANDS: Theme park and family attraction industry will be one of the important hubs for Malaysia’s tourism industry.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said the collaboration with the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) and the Malaysian Association of Theme Parks and Family Attractions (MATFA) will further expand the industry and attract more tourists and investors.
“This industry is the main hub for our products…we need new and innovative products so that tourists see Malaysia serving a variety of products which change from year to year,” he told the media after opening the MATFA Golden Horses Award 2023 at the Genting International Convention Centre.
Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapa said theme parks had become one of the main attractions in the international market such as India, China, the Philippines and Australia.
“This is one example of the diversity of theme parks, where we have indoor, outdoor, nature and ecotourism, which can attract more tourists to come to Malaysia because of the options given,” he added.
He said Tourism Malaysia will use the leverage on the theme park and family attraction industry as one of their promotions to attract more tourists to Malaysia.
The MATFA Golden Horse Awards was established to promote excellence and stimulate positive competition, showcasing the achievements attained by outstanding businesses for their role and contributions to the Malaysian economy.
It is also to recognise the businesses in the theme park and family entertainment industries and their contributions to the Malaysian economy.
The award is bestowed on companies that have set the hallmark of excellence in their respective categories and established clear market leadership.
A total of 48 awards under 15 categories were presented to serve as the pinnacle of recognition and benchmark of exemplary performance for the theme park and family attraction industry among national and regional entrepreneurs.
Genting Skyworld Theme Park took several awards in a few categories such as theme park of the year award, entertainer of the year and best festival experience, while the newly opened SplashMania Waterpark Gamuda Cove also managed to snatch a few awards such as the water park of the year award and best new water attraction award.
Genting Group chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay received the lifetime achievement award in the individual category as a symbol of appreciation for his contributions to the industry, the economy, and the nation. – BERNAMA
