Pahang maintains tourist arrival despite floods

News reports of floods in Pahang during the monsoon season had not deterred visitors including foreign tourists from coming to the state.

This was because Pahang Tourism had prepared tourism activities which could be suitably held during such season, according to its general manager Datuk Ishak Mokhtar.

He cited water sports activities such as the Tioman Surfestival 2017 and Balok Wind Challenge 2017 as among the main tourism products to attract visitors to the state during the rainy season.

"As a matter of fact, the tourism spots here are not affected by flood but sometimes news reports can have some impact," he noted.

He said organising activities such as the Balok Wind Challenge 2017 could shift the perception of tourists against visiting the state during monsoon.

"We promote particularly Kuantan as a recreational draw during the monsoon season," he told reporters after closing the Balok Wind Challenge 2017 at Pantai Balok here yesterday.

The event was also attended by Pahang Tourism and Culture Ministry, state director Idros Yahya and district police chief ACP Abdul Aziz Salleh.

Ishak said Pahang Tourism was optimistic of achieving its target of 15 million tourists this year in conjunction with Visit Pahang Year 2017 despite the floods.

Balok Wind Challenge 2017 which was held for three days from Friday, was participated by more than 60 water sports enthusiasts including from other countries such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan and United Kingdom. -- Bernama