Melaka to highlight religious activities for faith-based tourism

MELAKA: Major religious activities of all communities in the state will be made part of the faith-based tourism, says Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman.

The Melaka tourism, heritage, art and culture committee chairman said the religious travel sub-sector aims to provide valuable and meaningful tourism experiences by showcasing Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists and Sikhs in the state.

“The stakeholders at the state tourism promotion board will promote activities of all religions that reflect Melaka’s unique identity,” he said after holding a press conference to announce the Melaka Fair at Kota Cemerlang here on Wednesday (Sept 20).

The fair is organised by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), and MATTA’s Melaka Chapter chairman Goh Hock Gin was also present.

The tourism fair is scheduled from Oct 6 to Oct 8 at the Dataran Pahlawan Megamall in Bandar Hilir.

The state government had earlier organised a Muhibbah Feast involving the participation of three houses of worship at Jalan Harmoni, formerly known as Jalan Tukang Emas, in August.

The feast involved the Kampung Kling Mosque, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple and Sri Poyyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Temple, and it was held to promote Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM 2024) and enhance the spirit of unity and harmony among the people of various races and religions in the state.

In welcoming the promotion of faith-based tourism, chairman of the Melaka Portuguese Heritage, Arts and Cultural Society, Martin Theseira, hopes that the state also includes the Feast of the Assumption and Feast of the Holy Cross at Malim Hill as major tourism events for TMM 2024.

“The celebrations are significant to the Roman Catholics all over the country,” he said.

Theseira said he also hopes to turn these celebrations into a major tourism event for the state as it has been a low-key affair for all these years, although both the feasts have their roots in early Melaka history.