The magic of Malaysia ornamental - the floriculture industry

Abstract

The floriculture industry exciting offers exciting opportunities is attracting tourism to our country. Malaysia is indeed lucky to be blessed with a vast natural flora o\in our national parks and tropical jungles as well as its very well developed floriculture industry both in the highlands and lowlands. The cultivation of a wide array of flowers from the exotic equatorial orchids grown in the lowlands and the colourful temperate flowers like roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and others offer major attractions to both local and international tourists. The tourism potential of this floriculture industry is still not fully exploited. It can be easily mobilized with coordinated effort between the government and private sector through: (i) The development of a comprehensive commercial orchid park as a one-stop centre where tourists can view the entire process of floriculture from high-tech mass propagation, to the cultivation, harvesting and packing of flowers for export. (ii) The building of conservatories where wild jungle orchids can be grown in conditions simulating their natural habitat. (iii) The selection of existing flower farms as tourist destinations. Basic infrastructure such as access roads, display areas and other amenities should be improved and farm personnel be trained as tourist guides. (iv) The organization of more nationwide flower usage promotions and shows at international, national and state levels. (v) Special promotions by the Tourism Promotion Board in its overseas and local tourism promotion campaigns will greatly increase awareness of the Malaysian floriculture industry as a tourist attraction.