MELAKA: Tourist arrivals to Melaka, especially from Singapore, declined by an estimated 28% during the 2018 year-end peak period, and a tourism-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) claims this is mainly due to the recent spate of rallies and racially-tinged speeches by opposition leaders and Malay rights groups in the Klang Valley. "Such adverse speeches could affect Melaka as one of the tourism hubs, especially when Singaporeans would keep away from holidaying here. "Local tourism players were also hit by the low arrivals and we need to woo big spenders," he said. Chew said the tourism arrivals during the 2018 school break were mostly domestic holidaymakers. He said efforts are being made to help elevate the state tourism industry to a higher level.

Source: thestar January 02, 2019 10:52 UTC