Malaysia through its Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) organised the Malaysia-Singapore Triennial Cultural Showcase 2023 (TCS 2023) from 6th to 8th October 2023 at Marina Square. There were live cultural performances, cooking and handicraft demonstrations and, of course, many travel companies that offered travel packages to West and East Malaysia
MALAYSIA continues to be Singapore’s main holiday destination thanks to proximity, price (helped by the exchange rate) and incredible variety of places to go. The tourism roadshow this time focussed on the country’s Arts and Culture. There was plenty to see, do and great value choices to pick from at the event which saw packed crowds lining up to collect brochures and make bookings for the coming vacations.
The many people especially families that showed up attest to the rising numbers provided by the Guest of Honour Mr Mohd Yusri bin Mohd Yusoff, the Deputy Secretary General for Culture, MOTAC. In his opening address at the Official Grand Opening on Saturday 7th October 2023 he said that the day before a special performance was staged during the TCS 2023 opening ceremony at the Asian Civilisations Museum. It was jointly officiated by the Hon. Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, the Minister of MOTAC and Mr Edwin Tong, Singapore’s Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. He went on to say that the TCS has served as a platform for fostering cultural exchanges and strengthening ties between Malaysia and Singapore.
He also revealed how the Singaporean market has usually recorded a very high number of arrivals to Malaysia of about 5.2 million Singaporean tourists but this number still fell short by 48.6% compared to the same period in 2019. Eventually Malaysia is expecting about 7.8 million tourists from the Singapore market in 2023 and so far to date there has been 3 million visits from January to May 2023. This translates to RM49.2 Billion in tourism receipts providing a much economic boost to the Malaysian economy. He also added that. “This year Malaysia Tourism Singapore office has embarked on several exciting initiatives that includes strategic collaboration with Batam Fast Ferry; participation in consumer exhibitions to NATAS Holiday and Travel Malaysia Fairs; familiarisation trips to the East Coast of Malaysia and Sarawak as well as organising B2B workshops and seminars.”
Deputy Secretary General Mohd Yusri was accompanied by the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Singapore, H.E. Dr Azfar bin Mohamd Mustafar, the Perak Corridor of Tourism, Industry, Investment and Development Committee Chairman Honorable Mr Loh Sze Yee and Mr Voo Wei Keong President of the Express and Excursion Bus Association.
