The appointment of Fan Bingbing as Melaka Tourism Ambassador attracts international tourists
MELAKA: Leading Chinese film star Fan Bingbing, who will be appointed as Melaka Tourism Ambassador 2024, is seen to be able to make a big impact on the state’s tourism sector, especially in attracting international tourists.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said this is because the celebrity has great influence in social media and is able to utilize the platform to promote Melaka internationally, thereby boosting the state’s tourism sector, especially in conjunction with the Year of Visiting Melaka 2024 (TMM2024).
“I listened and examined suggestions and comments from netizens regarding her appointment but I would like to inform you that Fan Bingbing’s presence has a greater impact on the state’s tourism sector to a world-class level.
“The state government also did not spend a lot of money for his appointment; instead, we only manage the logistics aspect because the flight tickets are also sponsored by a local company and the international manager is a local and this factor facilitates the efforts,” he told reporters here today.
He said this after officiating the Melaka Dragon Boat Parade 2024, which was also attended by the State Tourism, Heritage, Art, and Culture Exco Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman.
According to Ab Rauf, Fan Bingbing’s appointment as ambassador will be officially held on June 15 at Encore Melaka.
Fan Bingbing, who has 63 million followers on Weibo (a social media platform in China similar to X) and 4.1 million Instagram followers, is usually highlighted as the face of Chinese culture at the global level.
In addition to Chinese films, he has also starred in the Hollywood superhero film ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’, as well as French and Korean films.
In 2017, Fan Bingbing graced the cover of Time magazine, and she was also named among the 100 Most Influential People.
Meanwhile, Ab Rauf said the state government always welcomes the implementation of programs aimed at empowering traditions, such as the Malacca Dragon Boat Parade, which is a traditional Chinese celebration in conjunction with the Duanwu Festival.
He said that through the initiative, heritage events and assets can be introduced to every generation.
A total of 13 teams, involving 150 participants from all over the country, participated in the parade in Sungai Melaka, which took place today and tomorrow.
