Ipoh: About 30 tourism entrepreneurs in Perak have received financing and grants totalling more than RM2 million from Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) since last year to support the growth of their businesses.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak MARA director Yuhaniz Mohamad Padil stated that the assistance was part of MARA's efforts to strengthen the state's tourism entrepreneurship ecosystem through financing, training, and business guidance. MARA aims to help micro-entrepreneurs in the tourism sector scale up their businesses into medium-sized enterprises.
"In terms of scaling up, perhaps from micro-entrepreneurs or operators, we want to provide grants, facilities and whatever is necessary to help their businesses grow into medium enterprises. That is among the outcomes we are targeting," she said. This was conveyed after the Perak State Bumiputera Tourism Operators Conference 2026, officiated by State Rural Development, Plantation, Agriculture and Food Industry Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.
Yuhaniz highlighted that the financing for tourism entrepreneurs was part of MARA's overall RM20 million financing allocation for entrepreneurs in Perak, which is open to all sectors, with amounts ranging from RM10,000 to RM500,000 depending on the scheme and entrepreneurs' needs. "In addition to financing, MARA also provides training and guidance in operational management, standard operating procedures (SOPs), certification, as well as halal and Muslim Friendly certifications," she added.
Furthermore, Perak MARA is collaborating with relevant agencies, including the Perak Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), Tourism Perak, and industry players to identify the needs of tourism operators under the Perak Tourism Transformation Plan.
Meanwhile, Mohd Zolkafly emphasized that Bumiputera tourism entrepreneurs must master digital marketing to remain competitive and gain access to domestic and international markets. He noted that technological changes have altered how tourists make travel decisions, with many now relying on smartphones to obtain information before choosing tourism products and services. "Social media is no longer an option but a necessity because it has become an integral part of operations in the industry we are engaged in. Therefore, every entrepreneur must master digital marketing to ensure their products can be highlighted to a wider market," he stated.