By V. Sivaji
Editor and co-founder
Good news is in store for holidaymakers from Ipoh, as more direct flights are expected to the Perak state capital from Guangzhou and Bangkok in the second and third quarters of the year.
The Sultan Azlan Shah airport in Ipoh has managed to place itself on the radar of several operators with Malindo, AirAsia and Singapore Airlines’ subsidiary Scoot Airlines providing flights there.
Currently, the Ipoh airport connects travellers from the city to Johor Baru and Singapore daily.
According to the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Perak chairperson Maggie Ong, the move will see the hotel industry pick up. “Direct and indirectly, the new flights help the economy of Perak such as transportation, local products, food and beverage outlets, entertainment and street foods.
“There will also be an opportunity to begin cross-selling between both China and Thailand to bring in medium scale meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) events to Ipoh and Perak in general.
“I strongly believe Ipoh’s relatively cheaper cost of hosting conferences is much lower compared to other primary cities,” Ong told Hyperlocal.
She the news of flights have augured well with local tourism professionals, and institutional leaders alike, as it would put Ipoh on the roadmap to being the most favoured destination in Malaysia in time to come.
“Perak MAH hopes to take advantage of the new direct flights by tying up with airlines for flight and hotels packages, promotions and offer instant discounts for room rates.
“We also hope to promote the Perak in the in-light magazines of the various airlines, in view of increased flights.”
Perak has many top-notch tourist destinations, such as the Lost World of Tambun with its famed
Other hotpots include the Gua Tempurung caves, Kellie’s Castle, the world most sustainable town, Taiping, the Royal town of Kuala Kangsar, and Gopeng Rainforest, to mention a few. Presently AirAsia, Malindo and Scoot airlines fly to Singapore and Johore Baru from Ipoh.