IPOH: Perak has welcomed a total of 8.4 million daily tourists up to November 2024 as part of the Visit Perak Year (TMP) 2024 initiative, according to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. This influx of visitors highlights the state's growing appeal, particularly in its renowned destinations like Ipoh and Pangkor Island.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, data from a Tourism Malaysia survey revealed that 627,292 international tourists visited Perak in the first nine months of 2024. This marks a significant increase of 135 percent compared to the TMP2017 campaign. Among the districts, Larut, Matang, and Selama stood out, attracting 1,050,144 visitors, making it the third-most visited area in Perak.

Saarani highlighted key attractions such as the Telegraph Museum, Antong Coffee, and Trong Leisure Farm, which experienced a 30 percent rise in visitor numbers compared to the previous year. He emphasized that the burgeoning tourist numbers indicate that Perak's tourism sector is thriving, benefiting both urban and rural areas known for their unique heritage.

"This success would not have been possible without the collaboration of various quarters, including government agencies, industry players, and most importantly, the people of Perak," Saarani stated. He praised the residents for becoming unofficial ambassadors, noting how their social media activities have helped promote the state globally.

In terms of future development, Saarani announced that the state government has allocated RM11.31 million under the Perak Budget 2025 for tourism and cultural projects. Of this budget, RM4 million is earmarked for enhancing tourism facilities, upgrading key attractions, and improving rural infrastructure in tourist hotspots like Pangkor, Ipoh, Taiping, and Lenggong.