INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE: Move to put Malacca river festival on World Calendar of Events

 MALACCA: THE month-long Malacca River Festival, which attracts some 800,000 visitors annually, should be considered to be listed as an important event in the world tourism calendar.

Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron said that the event, which was currently only listed in the annual Malaysia Calendar of Events, should be given bigger recognition internationally.

“I want the organiser of this event, which is the State River and Coastal Development Corporation, to work towards getting this event listed on the World Tourism Calendar of Events similar to the San Antonio River festival in Texas, United States.

“After its glory days, the river became dirty and was an eyesore, but today, the river is dubbed as the the Venice of the East, after the tireless efforts by the state government to clean and beautify the riverbanks and the waterway.

“It was turned from dirt to gold and now the Malacca River is flanked by several delightful structures such as the Dutch or Red Square, traditional villages and other tourist attractions.”

Idris said the success of the Malacca River could be seen through the Malacca River Cruise. When it started in 2006 there were only 56 visitors, but last year alone it attracted some 1.1 million passengers.

The Malacca River Festival 2013 at the Malacca River Square near the replica of the famed Portuguese vessel, Flor de La Mar, was officially opened by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob on Friday night.

For the month-long festival, the state government aims to attract at least 800,000 visitors for the 7th Malacca River Festival, being held until June 23.

The festival would also see Malacca hosting an international river seminar.

For information, visit www.melakariverfestival.com

One of the 17 boats taking part in the floral float parade held in conjunction with the Malacca River Festival. Pic by Mohd Khairul Helmy