KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan may be a quiet, uneventful state but last year, it raked in RM1.6 billion (S$700 million) in tourist revenue.

This was a result of the RM350,000 (S$153,195) promotional blitz by the state government.

The tourism industry is set for further growth this year as the state launched its Visit Kelantan Year 2008 programme.

Some RM1.7 million had been spent by the state government to promote 30 tourism events, including the International Wau Festival and the International Bird Singing & Bantam Chicken Beauty contest at Lubok Jong, Pasir Mas.

Kelantan's tourism, culture and national unity special officer Wan Azimin Wan Adnan said the state government was looking forward to welcoming five million domestic tourists and one million foreigners this year. Last year, 4.7 million tourists visited the state.

"Our campaign is different from others. We are not so much into nightlife but we have other things to offer like cultural performances and unique activities, such as the coconut-plucking competition."

Wan Azimin said the coconut-plucking event had become famous and had been featured by the international media.

He said Kelantan was also popular with backpackers and domestic tourists who loved to shop in the state. "The things sold in Kelantan are very cheap as we get a lot of items from Thailand."

He said the international tourists were mostly from Thailand, Singapore and Britain while the homestay programme was a hit with Japanese and Koreans.

However, for those who are used to five-star hotel accommodation, there is only one such hotel in Kelantan -- the Renaissance Hotel.

"We have plans to build seven other hotels of similar ranking but it will take some time.

"This is why Kelantan is not that popular among Arab tourists," he said.

Wan Azimin said tourists coming to Kelantan also had the misconception that they were not allowed to drink alcohol and must be properly dressed at all times.

He also said that alcoholic beverages were available in Chinese restaurants.