Govt keen on Unesco expertise for cultural heritage boost, says Nancy.

Unesco’s assistant director-general for culture, Ernesto Renato Ottone Ramirez with tourism, arts and culture minister Nancy Shukri during her visit to his office in Paris.

PETALING JAYA: The tourism, arts and culture ministry is keen on engaging with Unesco cultural heritage experts to develop talent and promotional programmes in Malaysia for the sector, says its minister Nancy Shukri.

Nancy, who is on a working visit to Europe, said she had discussed the matter with Unesco’s assistant director-general for culture, Ernesto Renato Ottone Ramirez during a visit to his office in Paris.

“We exchanged views and shared some of the challenges and initiatives undertaken by other countries to revive the cultural sector, especially with regard to intangible cultural heritage,” she told FMT.

Nancy added that she received some input on how Malaysia can further promote its museums as well as the possibility of organising webinars and programmes on conservation projects in Malaysia.

“I am eager to bring back the ideas (discussed with Ramirez) and ramp up marketing efforts in promoting Malaysia as a safe travel destination to the world.”

Nancy is currently representing Malaysia to win a seat as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022–2026 term.

Nancy Shukri meeting French tour operators and agents at a dinner she hosted to promote Malaysian tourism.

As part of her working visit, she also hosted a dinner reception attended by French tour operators, agents, airline partners, and the media, with the aim of strengthening relationships, and forging new partnerships and collaborations.

In her speech at that event, Nancy gave some insight on the projects, partnerships and promotions that her ministry was working on as part of the Tourism Malaysia Strategic Plan 2022-2026.

Guests at the dinner were treated to cultural performances by Malaysian dancers and local delicacies including dodol, kuih seri muka, kuih bahulu, and the Sarawak kek lapis.

“This is part of our promotional strategy abroad to show what’s unique in our country, and to also give a glimpse of Malaysia’s arts and culture through its diverse ethnicities”

*This article was originally published on Free Malaysia Today, 11/06/2022.