The Kenyir Geopark Festival 2025 strengthens rural tourism and promotes Tasik Kenyir ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
KUALA BERANG: The Kenyir Geopark Festival 2025 serves as a platform to strengthen the rural tourism ecosystem and promote Tasik Kenyir as Malaysia’s premier geopark destination ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang stated the three-day festival themed “Menyusuri Panorama Tasik” is expected to generate RM1.2 million in economic returns with a target of 60,000 visitors.
She highlighted the festival as a KETENGAH initiative to boost tourist numbers to the lake, which previously exceeded 800,000 visitors annually before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Visitor numbers declined after the pandemic but have shown an upward trend since 2023, with this year’s figures already exceeding 300,000,” she told reporters after officiating the festival at Pulau Poh, Tasik Kenyir.
Rubiah emphasised that the festival supports the goal of attracting one million visitors to Tasik Kenyir next year while aligning with the VMY 2026 campaign targeting 35.6 million international tourists nationwide.
She added that the festival demonstrates the significant commercial potential of rural areas and reflects commitment to making rural regions drivers of national development.
This year’s festival highlights three main concepts: Natural Eco-tourism, Heritage and Culture, and Local Gastronomy.
“These concepts strengthen Tasik Kenyir’s identity as a rural tourism destination combining natural beauty, cultural richness and local flavours,” she said.
The festival also aims to raise awareness about environmental and biodiversity conservation while fostering community unity and pride in natural and cultural heritage.
Rubiah noted the festival is expected to stimulate various economic activities through increased entrepreneurship, accommodation, transport services and community product sales.
A total of eight main programmes comprising 64 activities are featured, including traditional games, water sports, entrepreneur sales, cultural performances and interactive exhibitions.
In conjunction with VMY 2026, KKDW fully supports positioning tourism as a key economic growth driver, particularly in rural areas.
The Desa Kirana@KKDW Programme serves as an important platform to strengthen sustainable, inclusive and high-value rural tourism.
“Twenty-one villages nationwide have been selected for the Desa Kirana@KKDW Programme, acting as the main catalyst for rural tourism development ahead of VMY 2026,” she said.
The programme packages existing rural tourism attractions into comprehensive experiences focusing on heritage, natural attractions, local gastronomy, traditional products and village lifestyle.
“For Terengganu, Tasik Kenyir embodies this concept where tourists enjoy natural beauty and biodiversity while experiencing local hospitality through homestays and community-based tourism,” she added. – Bernama
