By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The Perak state government is focusing on regional markets as its main strategy to strengthen international tourism, while emphasising the need to expand night-time activities to encourage longer stays by visitors.
State Committee Chairman for Industry, Investment, Tourism, and Corridor Development, Loh Sze Yee, said that priority is being given to neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore due to their proximity, accessibility, and market suitability.
“Naturally, Perak must begin with markets that are close and easy to reach before expanding further internationally,” he said at the Networking Session with Tourism Industry Players in conjunction with the appointment of the new Tourism Perak chief executive officer here.
According to Loh, long-standing ties with Thailand have been established through familiarisation trips involving industry players, while efforts to penetrate the Indonesian market have intensified since last year. Singapore remains a key market as it is the only international destination with direct flights to Perak.
He added that southern China has also been identified as a potential next market due to its strong tourism prospects, although efforts there remain selective because of resource constraints and lower expected demand.
“Perak’s strengths lie in its natural environment as well as its health and wellness tourism, which is suitable for longer stays. However, building an international image takes time and requires the support of local industry players,” he said.
On infrastructure, Loh noted that Ipoh’s hospitality sector continues to grow with the presence of boutique hotels, rebranding initiatives and the entry of international brands, improving the overall quality of accommodation.
“Hotels alone are not enough. We must fill the night hours with activities so that tourists continue spending and stay longer in Perak,” he said, adding that attractions such as cafés in Old Town, Gerbang Malam, and Pasar Loken highlight the state’s strength in authenticity rather than dependence on major brands.
The session also marked the appointment of Suhaimi Abu Hassan Shari as chief executive officer of Tourism Perak, who officially assumed his duties on January 2, 2026, to lead efforts in enhancing the state’s tourism promotion.
