GOVT TO BOOST RAILWAY TOURISM

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry will
cooperate with national railway, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB), in an
effort to boost railway tourism.

Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen said several stations would be upgraded to
attract more tourists, especially from Singapore to take train rides to various
states, especially east coast state of Kelantan.

"Travelling by train to various states especially Kelantan will be a unique
experience, which would enable tourists to sample the cultures of the people,"
she told reporters after holding a dialogue with local tourism industry players
here Tuesday.

Ng said Kelantan was endowed with a tropical rainforest, waterfalls, a
national park, exotic dishes, and arts and culture.

"Tourists can experience the way of life of the people through the homestay
programme," she said.

She said various state and national level activities such as the Food
Fiesta, Cahaya Diraja Kelantan Festival in conjunction with the Sultan of
Kelantan's birthday celebration and the Malaysian Tourism Arts Festival would
help put Kelantan at the forefront of the country's tourism this year.

Ng said Kubang Pasu Market in Jalan PCB, the oldest of its kind in the
state, would be turned into a food mall selling dishes and foodstuff from
various races.

She said Kelantan recorded 67,702 of 23.65 million the country's tourist
arrivals last year up compared with 53,838 of 22 million the previous year.

The state now has 3,948 rooms, including homestay and budget hotels, last
year compared with 3,549 the previous year, she added.
-- BERNAMA