With travel gradually returning to a semblance of normalcy following the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, travellers are eagerly scouting for the perfect vacation destinations for their next getaway.

While travellers may be tempted to venture and explore destinations overseas, many may not realise that there are plenty of unique and exciting vacation spots in Malaysia to be discovered – particularly in the state of Selangor. Tourism Selangor is poised to reignite the local tourism industry and enthral travellers with a new series of captivating vacation packages, as part of its Nak Bercuti? Pusing Selangor Dulu! campaign, in preparation for Visit Selangor 2025.

The enhanced vacation packages are designed to highlight the scenic wonders of Selangor by offering an immersive experience into the heart of the state’s natural beauty.

Selangor executive council member for tourism Ng Suee Lim believes that the revamped vacation packages will improve Selangor’s allure to tourists, both local and foreign, enticing them to extend their stay in the state and contribute more to the local economy.

“The tourism industry is a major contributor to the economic growth of the state, and the country as a whole,” said Lim during a press conference held at the Tourism Selangor office at Bangunan Darul Ehsan in Seksyen 14, Shah Alam, on Sept 23.

“We are committed to revitalising the Selangor state tourism industry with a number of high-impact promotional activities and programmes to be rolled out in 2024.”

According to Lim, Selangor is one of the top three states for domestic tourism in Malaysia, with over 6.4 million domestic tourists in 2022.

Selangor also contributed the highest increase in GDP last year, amounting to RM40.9bil, with 26.5% coming from the service sector which involves contributions from the local tourism industry, which is why Lim is hopeful of getting more tourists to visit Selangor by 2025.

Lim adds that there are a number of tourism segments that the new vacation packages will focus on, which include eco and environmental, agro and homestay, food and gastronomy, culture and heritage, medical, sports, cruise, education, as well as entertainment and theme parks.

Among the vacation packages on offer include a 3D2N tour in the northern region of Selangor, encompassing visits to renowned destinations such as Bukit Melawati, Sky Mirror, Sekinchan and Sg Panjang.

There will also be similar packages curated for both central and southern regions of Selangor, which will be available next year.

“These packages already exist, such as the 2D1N package available in Sekinchan, but we are enhancing them to get more tourists and travellers excited about all the things to do and see in Selangor,” says Lim.

“Our focus is on promoting Selangor as a whole and thinking about how we can make tourists stay here for longer, and not just for a day or two.”

One approach Tourism Selangor will employ involves utilising the 160 Smart Selangor buses that are currently operational as mobile billboards to promote the Nak Bercuti? Pusing Selangor Dulu! campaign.

To complement this, Lim shares that there will also be an intensified promotional push across the state, and Malaysia, aimed at capturing the attention of travellers nationwide.

“Selangor has plenty of treasures to be discovered. But people won’t know that unless we show it to them through more promotional materials like videos and billboards.

“We have to constantly alert all Malaysians to think of Selangor first when they are planning their next vacation.”

He states that Tourism Selangor will also be revising its campaign jingle, as well as hosting carnivals and fairs to entice prospective travellers.