GEORGETOWN, Dec 5 — Selangor has now entered the final acceleration phase of its Visit Selangor Year 2025 (VSY2025) promotional campaign in order to achieve the target of eight million tourists to the state this year.
State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato' Ng Suee Lim said Tourism Selangor has been instructed to intensify the promotion of eco-tourism products, including cruise tourism and medical tourism, as the year draws to a close in less than a month.
He said an estimated 6.4 million domestic and international visitors were recorded in Selangor from January to September, with tourism receipts reaching RM11.4 billion.
“During yesterday’s board meeting, I asked Tourism Selangor to focus on whatever aspects are necessary to achieve the target.
“We are confident that we can meet the target, and even exceed it, taking into account that Selangor consistently records the highest number of daily tourist arrivals, according to the Malaysian Statistics Department (DOSM),” he said during the Media Cruise Trip 2025 programme today.
Joining the luxury cruise aboard the Piano Land were Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling and Hwajing Travel and Tours managing director Kenny Cheong Ken Lee.
The three-day, two-night voyage from the Port Klang Cruise Terminal (PKCT) to the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal in Penang offered a first-hand experience aboard the vessel and an opportunity to explore the state's attractions before returning to Port Klang.
Piano Land is the first 70,000-tonne cruise ship from China to be based in Malaysia. It features 13 decks and 850 cabins, accommodating up to 1,700 passengers at a time.
Facilities include restaurants, seven bars, a duty-free shop, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, the Chaplin Theatre, a gymnasium, a library, a spa and beauty centre, the Twinkle Little Star Club, mini telematch activities, as well as zumba, aerobics, quizzes, and games.
Cruise packages available include three days, two nights (PKCT-Penang-PKCT); four days, three nights (PKCT-Penang-Langkawi-PKCT); four days, three nights (PKCT-Phuket-PKCT); and seven days, six nights (PKCT-Singapore-Ho Chi Minh-Hong Kong).
Beginning on Saturday (November 29), the ship offers Muslim-friendly hospitality suitable for the whole family through a strategic collaboration between Astro Ocean Cruise and Hwajing Travel and Tours.
Meanwhile, Chua said the collaboration realises Malaysia’s aspiration to become a major cruise tourism hub in the region, with Port Klang being among the six ports that handle cruise ships.
“Selangor is committed to strengthening the cruise tourism ecosystem, with the long-term goal of positioning the state as a leading port hub in Asia.
“This effort is expected to attract more visitor arrivals and subsequently increase the state’s tourism revenue,” she said.
