The 2021 Budget tabled on Friday should also provide a booster for national economic development planning and revitalization of the tourism, art, and culture sector.

The Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said that the budget will provide the ministry with an opportunity to help industry stakeholders stay strong and also promote economic recovery in the country in the future.

“The Ministry is confident that the tourism, arts, and culture sectors are ready and will be prime movers for overall economic development.

“This is a huge economic chain, across various economic segments involving aspects of accommodation, land, sea and air transport, food and beverage, travel agencies, cultural art heritage assets as well as event management,” she said in a statement.

The Department will step up its efforts to improve tourism, the arts and culture industry by increasing the use of technology and innovation.

“It can be done by developing a public data center to assist in the marketing and promotion of products and services related to tourism, arts, culture, and heritage," she said in a statement.

Nancy noted that the Ministry will also prioritise the facilities of tourism infrastructure, outreach, upskilling and reskilling programmes, as well as the diversification of the industry.

“The ministry will enhance cooperation with all government agencies at the federal and state levels as well as industry players, to achieve the goal of making Malaysia a sustainable and culturally rich tourist destination,” she said.