PASIR GUDANG - The five-day Pasir Gudang World Kite Festival (FLLSPG) at Bukit Layang-Layang here which ends today is able to strengthen the local economies, said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
He said the festival’s silver jubilee this year, saw about 300,000 visitors with the participation of guests from 40 countries including four new entries from Isle of Man, Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic and Tahiti.
He said the festival organised in strategic collaboration with the Malaysian Kite Flyers Council (MPM), the Johor Kite Flyers Association, Pasir Gudang City Council (MBPG), Tourism Johor, Johor Department of Culture and Arts and Pasir Gudang Tourism Association has also helped build Johore’s growing presence on the international stage.
"It is not just a significant tourism event in the state and country, but FLLSPG is set to make the local economy prosperous and resilient.
"I am told, apart from the registered participants, the number of fans who come together to fly kites throughout the festival is also expected to increase by the thousands," he said when officiating at the 25th FLLSPG here last night.
Also present were MPM president Datuk A. Rahim Nin and Johor state secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani.
Meanwhile, A. Rahim said the festival, which attracted 700 local kite flyers and 109 international participants, resulted in positive spillover effects for over 350 small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) with a sales value of over RM23,000.
"The participants from 40 countries did not come alone but were accompanied by their friends and relatives. I understand that the home stays and hotels around Pasir Gudang are fully booked, due to the FLLSPG event," he said.
He said various interesting activities were held in conjunction with the festival, the highlight of which was the simultaneous flying of 25 Malaysian traditional kites by international participants which entered the Malaysia Book Of Records.
The last FLLSPG was in Feb 2019 and the 25th FLLSPG scheduled to take place in Feb 2020 was cancelled due to concerns over the spread of Covid-19. - BERNAMA