MSIA HAS GOOD POTENTIAL IN FINE ARTS INDUSTRY

HELSINKI, Nov 5 (Bernama) -– World-renowned classical music conductor Datuk Ooi Chean See, who also a Tourism Malaysia ambassador, has a mission -- to sell Malaysian fine arts and culture to the world.

Ooi believes it is high time for Malaysia to attract more sophisticated and affluent tourists instead of just promoting the country as a value for money destination with beautiful seas and endless sunshine.

“We also hope to position Malaysia as the destination for fine arts, haute couture, fine dining and living although we are yet to be compared to other cities in this field such as Singapore or the European cities.

"These are some of the things that I always tell my friends. Come to Malaysia for a holiday, we have so much to offer," she said,

She is part of a tourism trade mission delegation with Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen to the three Scandinavian markets here. Besides Helsinki, the delegation has visited Stockholm and will be visiting Copenhagen Thursday.

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The Penang-born Ooi has been based in Bonn, Germany, for the past 30 years, but Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Sabah still remain her favourite holiday destinations.

"I love Penang for its food, Kuala Lumpur for its vibrancy and of course Sabah for its nature," she said.

She was appointed Resident Conductor of the world-class Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) in 1997, making her one of the few women conductors of the classical music orchestra.

She said her experience and extensive network of business associates in Europe would allow her to promote Malaysia.

Among the major plans she has drawn up is to bring Malaysian arts and a cultural troupe and to choreograph a symphony to be performed at the annual International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin in March next year.

"I will also emphasise folk songs and dances, musical instruments, traditional art works such as batik painting, calligraphy, and our famous food and delicacies,” she said, adding that one of her favourite folk songs is Tanah Pusaka.

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She was made a tourism ambassador in August. Besides her, two other appointed ambassadors for Tourism Malaysia are renowned shoemaker Datuk Jimmy Choo and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) president Datuk Seri Jean Todt, who is also fiance to Malaysian actress Datuk Michelle Yeoh.

"I am honoured to be asked to become ambassador for Tourism Malaysia. I hope to do my best to further promote Malaysia to the European market here,” Ooi said.

Her mission is also in sync with Tourism Malaysia's plan to hold a Malaysian Arts and Culture Festival from July to September next year.

She said that by developing the Malaysian fine arts industry, it was not solely to boost the tourism industry, but also to educate Malaysians in this field and to give Malaysian artists more opportunities and exposure to promote themselves to the world.

"I think this has got to do with our education system which emphasises science and technology and academic excellence.

"But we are not too late. I can see that Malaysians have started to show more interest and appreciation for such things. And I think we need to have a continuous awareness to inculcate appreciation for the fine arts and culture among our people, especially the young," she said.

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