Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and a very good afternoon to everyone.

1. I am honoured to be invited to witness this momentous signing ceremony of a new world class tourism destination in Malaysia, aptly named ESCAPE Cameron Highlands. This project is unique, as this development introduces a world-class brand that is 100% Malaysian, created by a Malaysian-born company that has built some of the greatest parks around the world.
2. Not only will ESCAPE Cameron Highlands host their signature rides and attractions, I was informed that ESCAPE will also feature European themed architecture and games, synergising with Cameron Highland’s European heritage and its cooler, temperate climate. As such, ESCAPE Cameron Highlands will literally and figuratively be a breath of fresh air, as far as the tourism industry is concerned. This novel destination stands to offer something truly unique: reconnecting us with nature. 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. Visitors want to travel and reconnect with nature for recreation; this will be the trend of tourism moving forward which has been caused by the pandemic. The future of global tourism will be about family fun in the form of wellness. I predict an exponential growth in demand for nature-based tourism worldwide. Malaysia will set itself apart from its regional neighbours by promoting clean, healthy, family-oriented tourism. We will capitalise on our abundant natural beauty heading towards this new direction. 
2. Therefore, I want to congratulate the Sim Leisure Group, a Malaysian-born entity which has made its mark around the world with over 300 major theme park projects internationally through their Dubai design & project office. In fact, Sim Leisure Group has single-handedly put Malaysia on the world map as the company behind some of the global industry’s biggest brands. Just to name a few, these include Universal Studios Singapore, Ski Dubai and Bollywood Theme Park in Dubai; Legoland in Denmark and Qeitefan Waterpark in Qatar, built in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup 2022. 
3. I would also like to commend Hektar Muda Sdn Bhd’s foresight in Cameron Highland’s tourism plan in embracing the new tourism direction.
4. I have faith in Sim Leisure Group, for their excellent track record, as ESCAPE Penang’s achievement was placed in the Guinness World Record since 2019. They were acknowledged for the world’s longest tube water slide at 1,111m, taking riders through the jungle. 
5. I am excited to hear that there will be 3 world records at ESCAPE Cameron Highlands. Sim Leisure Group, through its international involvement in the theme park business, is giving Malaysian tourism a new perspective. Malaysia must set itself as a leader - not a mere follower - to win business in a globalised, borderless world.
6. Going by the success of existing ESCAPE parks in Penang and Petaling Jaya, I am confident that ESCAPE Cameron Highlands will continue to receive praise and support from tourists.  I was informed that the ESCAPE brand recently made its international debut in Sri Lanka, and will soon expand throughout ASEAN region and China! ESCAPE will be the de-facto brand ambassador for Malaysian tourism abroad, just as Disney Park is to the USA, or Legoland to Denmark. International tourists will naturally want to see the birthplace of ESCAPE brand - Malaysia.
7. In fact, ESCAPE’s business model is in line with the government’s agenda to boost Malaysian eco-tourism. As such, ESCAPE Cameron Highlands serves a catalytic role in terms of new tourism investment, while infusing renewed interest and vigour into Malaysia’s eco-tourism sector. 
8. ESCAPE Cameron Highlands will do so much more than revitalise Cameron Highlands as a major tourism hub.  This timely development will kickstart the revival of Malaysia's domestic tourism industry, as a whole, which has been greatly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic since last year.  

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. I am deeply aware how tough the past year has been for the industry, to say the least. But I am confident that we will be able to pull through and come out of this pandemic stronger than ever, as we adopt this new tourism direction moving forward. 
2. The opening of destinations such as ESCAPE Cameron Highlands will also directly support initiatives by MOTAC and Tourism Malaysia, such as the Stimulus Recovery Plan, with three underlying main cores. These are namely restoring confidence to travel, reviving domestic tourism, and maximising resources.
3. I therefore commend the Sim Leisure Group on their efforts during these trying times. On behalf of MOTAC, I would also like to extend our cooperation in any way possible towards the success of ESCAPE Cameron Highlands, and the ESCAPE brand as a whole. 
4. As I have said before, all players in the tourism industry should continue introducing attractive and unique travel packages in a bid to attract tourists and boost the tourism economy. We are a crucial sector which is amongst the biggest contributors to the country economically and we would all need to work together not just to achieve our goals, but to also make sure all industry players, have food on their table during these trying times.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

1. Alhamdulillah, I must say that what Sim Leisure Group is doing with ESCAPE Cameron Highlands is one good example of a unique leisure experience. I therefore cannot wait to see how it will take our beautiful Cameron Highlands to greater tourism heights.
2. I hope there will be more of such tourist attractions in future, taking cue from ESCAPE, to promote eco-tourism and preserves its surrounding landscape and nature, while presenting Malaysia to the world as a preferred tourist destination. With that, I would like to once again to congratulate Sim Leisure Group on this incredible accomplishment and I wish all the best towards the successful fruition of ESCAPE Cameron Highlands. Thank You.

Twitter