UPM has potential to become first Agro-Tourism University

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has become the first university in the country to offer tourism packages to visitors. The university, which boasts 1,100ha of natural surroundings, will offer nature trails and even a chance for visitors to milk a cow.

“There is no need for visitors to go to places like New Zealand in order to experience such unique things, now that UPM is offering the same chance,” said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who launched UPM's “Mother Nature Tour Trail” at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here yesterday.

Speaking to reporters after a soft launch and media walkabout of the three-day Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 promotional campaign tourism carnival, she said UPM could also introduce cycling and horse riding on the campus grounds for visitors to experience its landscape.
“UPM has an abundance of natural assets, including various species of tropical trees and a beautiful waterfall,” she said.

Dr Ng said the university and ministry had to enlist the help of three travel agencies TM Tours & Travel, Mitra Kembara and Poto Travel & Tours to offer 13 tour packages priced from RM88.
The packages, which are a collaborative effort of UPM, Tourism Malaysia and the ministry, consist of agricultural and educational tours at the Ayer Hitam forest reserve, equine centre, deer farm, cattle farm and human anatomy museum.

The university will also give tourists a glimpse of its vast biodiversity, with 100,000 specimens in its museums and 16,000 live specimens.
The VMY 2014 promotional campaign tourism carnival, to be held until tomorrow, features various exhibitions and bazaars for visitors in an effort to promote the tourism industry in Malaysia.

Article from The Star Online. 19th January 2013