Kedah, Perlis Promote Experiential Tourism

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KANGAR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Kedah and Perlis are actively strengthening their tourism sectors through an experiential tourism approach aimed at changing perceptions of the two states from merely stopover destinations to locations offering unique experiences.

Tourism Malaysia Northern Region director Abdul Hadi Che Man said the experiential tourism concept is increasingly becoming the choice of travellers, especially younger generations seeking more meaningful and interactive experiences rather than simply sightseeing or making brief stops.

“Places visited are not just for sightseeing, but tourists can see, taste, hear, smell and personally take part in the activities.

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“For example, the Whispering Market in Kuala Muda and dropzone activities at Bukit Kodiang in Kedah, as well as the Harumanis mango season in Perlis, offer unique experiences to visitors,” he told Bernama after the four-day Surreal Experience in the North Kedah & Perlis programme organised by Tourism Malaysia Northern Region recently.

The programme, which began on May 13, brought together media representatives, influencers and tourism agencies, who were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in agro-tourism and local community experiences through visits to several destinations in Kedah and Perlis, including the Whispering Market in Kuala Muda, the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum, Bukit Kodiang, Kampung Warna-Warni Kuala Perlis and the Tsunami Gallery.

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Participants were also given the opportunity to savour unique local delicacies such as Teluk Kechai rice laksa, Mak Bee rojak gravy, Harumanis mangoes, putu mayam with laksa gravy, as well as seafood dishes reflecting the distinctive gastronomic heritage of both states.

Abdul Hadi said the programme is expected to serve as a catalyst for the development of new tourism packages capable of expanding the promotion of Kedah and Perlis to domestic and international markets.

“We do not want Kedah and Perlis to merely become transit routes for Malaysian tourists travelling to Thailand. We hope they will stop and experience what is offered here, and if possible, stay for one or two nights,” he said.

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Perlis State Secretary Incorporation manager Mohd Irzat Rozaidy Mohamad Roseli said the Visit Perlis Year campaign, now in its third year, has shown a significant increase in tourist arrivals.

He said Perlis recorded about three million visitor arrivals in 2024 before increasing to five million last year, based on border entry statistics involving domestic and international tourists.

"For this year, we are not setting overly ambitious targets, but we hope the number will continue to rise, possibly to around 5.2 million to 5.3 million visitors. We have seen that since the campaign was introduced, industry players have become more aware that Perlis has great potential as a tourism destination,” he said.

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He said the increase in tourist arrivals has also encouraged the development of new eco-tourism-based products, in addition to upgrades to facilities at several popular sites such as Viewpoint Wang Kelian and Bukit Chabang.

Mohd Irzat Rozaidy said following the positive development, the state government plans to establish Perlis Tourism next year as a dedicated state tourism agency with new branding after the Visit Perlis Year 2024-2026 campaign ends.

He said the agency would be equipped with a new identity and logo and driven through the development of the Perlis Tourism Strategic Plan 2027-2030 to strengthen the direction of the state’s tourism industry.

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“We want to be better prepared before implementing major campaigns in the future. When the time comes, Perlis will already have the ecosystem and preparations in place to welcome more tourists,” he said.

At the same time, Perlis will organise the Festival Rakyat 3.0 at Dataran Lok 9, Kuala Perlis, from May 22 to 24, targeting 100,000 visitors in conjunction with the 83rd birthday celebration of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.

The festival will feature various events, including Malam Citrawarna Kuala Perlis 2026, an international tug-of-war competition, Muay Thai, arm wrestling and traditional games.

-- BERNAMA