A showcase of heritage and culture

SEVERAL interesting activities have been lined up under the “Taiping Berpesta 2017” event.

The five-month programme, which started in August, would end next month.

The programme held in conjunction with Visit Perak Year 2017, is organised by the Taiping Municipal Council in cooperation with the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), and several non-governmental organisations.

The event is aimed at promoting two main tourism products, which are the Taiping Heritage Trail, and the Taiping Zoo and Night Safari.

The two-day carnival saw students from secondary, primary and pre-schools taking part in several interesting events.

The highlight of the event was the District Schools Buskers competition.

NCIA chief executive Datuk Redza Rafiq during his speech at the carnival said the event (Taiping Berpesta 2017) was among the main initiatives to promote the Greater Kamunting Conurbation (GKC).

He said NCIA through a strategic partnership with the council had organised programme and activities around Taiping to promote GKC, which is part of the initiative listed under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Development Blueprint.

He said among the interesting activities held were cultural programmes that encouraged tourism growth.

“We recognise that the tourism sector is among the main contributor to the development of the NCER, and therefore we are continuing our efforts to enhance the tourism growth.

“We are also upgrading the facilities at the Northern Corridor destinations.

“In such areas we have seen the number of hotel rooms increase by 212% in five years, and small traders licences increased from 16,220 in 2010 to 23,885 in 2015,” he said.

Redza added that in Taiping, similar efforts were being taken. He said in the 70s and 80s, there used to be an event known as “Pesta Taiping”, and the current event was held in memory of that.

“We want visitors to come to Taiping not only as a tourism destination, but for them to take part in the various programmes lined up as well,” he added.

Students, pupils and children take part in various events during two-day carnival in Taiping

17 Nov 2017 – The Star