MBI WILL CONSIDER BILATERAL TOURISM PROPOSALS FROM HATYAI MUNICIPALITY AND SOUTHERN THAILAND MEDIA ASSOCIATION

HATYAI, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The Ipoh City Council (MBI) will consider all proposals put forward by the Hatyai Municipality and the Southern Thailand Media Association in efforts to promote bilateral tourism. 

MBI councillor and MBI Media and Information sub-committee chairman, representing Ipoh Mayor Muhammad Hamzah Md Hamdan, stated that the local authority would analyse and review all matters discussed.

“We will identify and address any gaps we find. It’s essential to further improve the quality and standards we offer, particularly our multicultural diversity in Ipoh.

“This has long been a draw for tourists from Hatyai,” he said after the Perak-Southern Thailand Media Harmony event to promote bilateral tourism, held at a hotel here last night.

The event is part of a visit to Hatyai from Nov 21 to 23, aimed at strengthening closer cooperation, sharing experiences and knowledge, and discussing media, broadcasting, and tourism programmes, particularly in Southern Thailand.

Also present were Songkhla senator and president of the Southern Thailand Media Association, Chaiyong Maneerungsakul; deputy mayor of Hatyai, Sumrit Boonrat; and acting deputy president and head of External Relations Bureau of the Southern Thailand Media Association, Twaedaniya Meringin.

Muhammad Hamzah noted that one of the issues raised was the excessive restrictions faced by visitors upon arriving in Malaysia, assuring the matter would be brought to the attention of the relevant authorities.

“MBI and the authorities must act promptly to ensure that tourists from Hatyai can travel to Malaysia safely and conveniently.

“While Thai food is popular, they also enjoy Malaysian cuisine such as Malay, Chinese, and Indian dishes. We need to explore suitable ways to leverage this interest and attract more tourists,” he said.

Recently, media reports ranked Thailand as the seventh-best country in the world for tourism, surpassing other Southeast Asian nations, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Chaiyong highlighted the importance of bilateral discussions to better understand the needs of tourists from both sides of the border, especially from Southern Thailand, who share similar ethnic and religious backgrounds.

"While the strict enforcement of laws in Malaysia provides a sense of security for Thai tourists, this firmness mustn’t hinder tourism or make them feel uncomfortable," he said.

Sumrit added that the region has identified the interests of Malaysian tourists to attract them to Hatyai, and Malaysia can do the same by leveraging its multicultural society.

"Thai tourists are eager to experience Malaysian cuisine, which reflects the influence of various ethnic communities. Similarly, Malaysia’s tourist destinations cater to both Muslim and non-Muslim visitors from Thailand," he said.

Muhammad Hamzah noted that the media could exchange ideas and suggestions to further enhance tourism in both countries, while also strengthening cooperation and deepening the knowledge and experience sharing between the two cities.

-- BERNAMA