SABAK BERNAM, Nov 8 — Although held in a rural area, this year’s Ban Canal Carnival is drawing foreign tourists, said state executive councillor for rural development and unity Datuk Rizam Ismail.
He said a participant from China, who is world No.5 in stand-up paddling, chose to join the festival here to compete with counterparts from Japan and Malaysia.
“The event’s achievements grow each year, and participation is encouraging. It not only attracts foreign and domestic visitors to learn about the Ban Canal, which is a stream built during the British (colonisation) era, but also invigorates local economic activity,” he told Media Selangor after the launch of the carnival in Simpang Lima here by Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari here today.
The carnival, which ends today, featured watersports as its main event. Platform Selangor (PLATS) entrepreneurs joined in the celebration with food booths among state government agency exhibits.
Rizam expressed pride over the Ban Canal Carnival being named “Best Tourism Event” at the Malaysia International Tourism Development Association’s (MiTDA) Tourism Industry Awards.
He said the carnival has drawn nearly 20,000 domestic and foreign tourists this year and boosted the potential of rural tourism and agrotourism.
“This tourism award didn’t come by chance; it was achieved through systematic frameworks and execution by MBI (Menteri Besar Selangor (Incorporated)). It is a good achievement and has become a benchmark. (It can) be improved,” Rizam said.
