IPOH: Hotels in Pangkor have recorded 78% in occupancy rate, making it the highest number of rooms booked in the state since the reopening of state borders.

       Perak Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said this was followed by Taiping and Ipoh with 56% and 50% occupancy rates respectively.

       Nolee said other areas like Manjung, Tapah, Tanjung Malim and Kuala Kangsar have recorded about 46% occupancy rate.

       "The figures give confidence to the tourism industry that more tourists would be expected to visit the state in the coming weeks.

       "This will definitely help to rejuvenate the industry," she said during a press conference after visiting the Marina Island and Lumut jetties on Sunday (Oct 17).

       Interstate travels have been allowed since Monday (Oct 11), with many Malaysians having started to travel around the country again.

       Nolee Ashilin said 9,888 tourists from all over the country had gone to Pangkor between Oct 11 and 16.

       "We believe more will be visiting the island over the next few weeks.

       "We believe that many people have returned to their hometown this week to visit their family first," she said.

       She also said the number of tourists to Pangkor from Perak alone has doubled.

       "Since inter-district travels were allowed in August, Pangkor has received 6,430 visitors.

       "In September, the number of tourists doubled to 12,879," she said.