THE recently set up Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau has identified several initiatives targeted at improving ground services and product development, slated to be introduced in the city in the first quarter of 2016.
These include positioning Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia’s cuisine haven; introducing weekly cooking classes for international tourists and spouses of MICE delegates; launching two new heritage walking trails; creating culture hubs in the city including Central Market and Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; publishing a luxury tourism product directory; forming a business events desk within the bureau to coordinate business events in the city; and offering short courses for front-liners in the hospitality industry, including taxi drivers, aimed at improving service quality.
Noraza Yusof, general manager at Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau explained that in 2016, “the bureau will also promote medical and educational tourism in a strategic manner, and attractions in the city will be graded to ensure quality are on par with global standards.”
The bureau was set up on November 11, 2015 with an initial funding of RM16 million (US$3.63 million) and is essentially a rebrand and replacement of the Tourism Unit of City Hall. “The organisation structure provides greater focus on sustainable development of tourism segments and key support functions,” said Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz, mayor of Kuala Lumpur.
An advisory board provides guidance to the bureau and comprises representation from the city police, the Tourism and Culture Ministry, the Land Public Transport Commission and representatives of tourism linked associations.
Adam Kamal, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association deputy president 2, said: “Noraza is a capable and experienced person to helm the bureau and under her leadership, I am sure the bureau will meet all that it has set out to do. It is good to have a dedicated government body to systematically develop and promote tourism in the city as Kuala Lumpur is the main gateway.”
