SHAH ALAM, Oct 1 — Tourism Selangor has organised various activities during the Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) to highlight the state’s food and tourism products.
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling said the agency is working with Mitsui Outlet Park KLIA and IOI City Mall — chosen for their strategic locations — to take advantage of the higher number of visitors during the international event.
Among these programmes are the Selangor Mega Food Festival at Mitsui Outlet Park, which features 80 stalls.
“The carnival has three exhibit zones (for) traditional food, viral food, and an exhibition organised with Platform Selangor (PLATS),” she told Media Selangor.
She added that the traditional food zone will highlight Selangor’s cultural staples and treats, while the viral food zone will feature popular dishes. PLATS participants, meanwhile, will gain access to international tourists during the event, which will also feature artiste performances and interactive games.
Besides the food festival, Chua said Tourism Selangor is taking part in the Citrawarna Speed Festival at IOI City Mall, which started on September 23 and gathers corporate partners selling F1 merchandise, or, in Tourism Selangor’s case, promoting tourism products and packages.
“The mall will hold a parade on Saturday night with 1,500 dancers performing a traditional dance… to express the uniqueness of Malaysia’s cultural diversity and promote the country’s cultural heritage to domestic and foreign tourists,” she added.
She explained that sideline F1 events allows local tourism and business players to benefit from increased visitor numbers.
“The F1 race isn’t just an international sports event, but an important platform to promote tourism.
“Through this series of sideline programmes, we hope to prolong tourists’ stays, boost their (inclination) to spend, and create more business opportunities for industries like hotel, food and beverage, retail, and transport,” Chua said.
