Terengganu is optimistic that its target of 4.5 million tourist arrivals for this year will be achieved, though the country is still recovering from the pandemic.

State Tourism, Culture, and Information Technology Committee chairman Ariffin Deraman said that the target was dependent on the optimistic pattern of state tourist arrivals after domestic tourism was permitted by the government to resume in  May under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).

Since then, hotel reservations have risen by 90 percent on weekends, more than 60 percent on weekdays in all tourist locations including resort islands in the state.

"We were originally targeted at 5.4 million tourists this year, but due to COVID-19, the number was reduced to 3.8 million due to various factors.

"We are, however, confident to hit 4.5 million tourists by the end of the year after seeing the patterns of the tourist arrivals from May till today," he said.

Ariffin added that houseboats in Kenyir are fully booked on weekends till December, while at the weekends a huge rise of visitors to the Kenyir Elephant Village (KEV).

However, he also called on all tourists to adhere to the rules and standard operating procedures set out to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"For example, we allow only 10 people on a boat for the squid jigging program, despite being in a position to accommodate up to 20 people at any time.

"We will take stern action against those who violate the order to ensure public safety," he added.