Several Melaka hotels including the Melaka Hotel Association and other private and government bodies, like Zoo Melaka, Auyin Hill Resort and Manipal College took part in the Festival.

On tourism, Mohd. Ali said that Melaka will concentrate on becoming more than a one-day tourist destination.

With future plans ahead to organized more cultural shows, and recreational activities in Melaka, he urged the tour and travel agencies to make arrangements for the tourists to stay more than one day in Melaka as there is plentry to see and experience the historical and cultural heritage of Melaka.

Mohd. Ali also said that the festival is also to promote Melaka for its shopping, education, sports, agro-tourism, convention and health.

He said emphasized that the slogan ‘Visit Historic Melaka Means Visit Malaysia’ means that when the tourists come to Melaka, they have seen and experienced everything about Malaysia’s cultural and historical attractions.

Mohd. Ali also requested the ambassadors of the various embassies to promote Melaka their home countries.

The Century Mahkota Hotel booth was decorated with nyonya and baba figurines the entrance was a replica of a gate of the olden days Melaka Sultan’s Palace. On top of the gate were two mousedeers made of styrofoam.

Besides special promotional flyers and brochures, the sales personnel at the booth also gave out local delicacies like "durian dodol" and coconut candy to the visitors.

Mingguan Melaka : 11 Mar - 17 Mar 2001. Issue 35

Copyright © 2001 by IKSEP, Melaka . Issue 35 (11 Mar - 17 Mar 2001)