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Johor to promote kampung experience

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Johor has come up with its own rural tourism product called DesaStay that provides a kampung experience for tourists.

It was launched by Johor Chief Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who said DesaStay was different from the homestay concept as it involves the participation of the whole village, The Star reported.

Mr Mohamed Khaled said the programme, which involves 32 villages, aims to showcase the village experience, especially traditional rites and rituals, as well as a chance to try out the unique food cooked by the locals.

"Tourists will be able to get a first-hand feel of the village way of life such as weddings, funerals and festive celebrations," he said, adding that they simply need to choose an option on the DesaStay website.

EXPERIENCE

"Foreign tourists do not just want to see development and theme parks in places they are visiting.

"Even locals who are staying in major cities and towns would love the rural experience and simple kampung life," he said during a cultural ceremony in Batu Pahat, Johor, on Saturday.

Mr Mohamed Khaled hoped the new product would put Johor on the world map for rural tourism.

"We would set aside funds in the next state budget to teach villagers basic English so they can interact better with foreign visitors and improve existing infrastructure of participating villages," he said.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Tee Siew Kiong has been tasked to draw up a proposal.

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