KOTA TINGGI, MALAYSIA: The Tourism Ministry is holding discussions with the Transport Ministry to revive ferry service between Tanjung Belungkor in Pengerang and Changi in Singapore.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said tourism in Desaru had suffered since the ferry service was discontinued about 15 years ago.

"Today, the Causeway and the Second Link are the only vehicle entry points and the distance is too far."

Azalina added that the ferry service, once revived, would boost the tourism industry in Desaru and its surrounding areas.

Azalina was at the the Zoom! Desaru Carnival at Tanjung Balau in Desaru on Saturday night.

Organised by the ministry, the carnival was part of the Zoom! Malaysia domestic tourism campaign to put Desaru back on the map as a major tourist destination.

Desaru was a popular tourist destination in the 1990s, especially with Singaporeans.

Azalina said the Senai-Desaru Highway, which is under construction, would also help boost tourism in Desaru.

She said she was expecting tourist arrivals in the country to reach 22 million this year.

"We saw a 1.3 per cent and 8.2 per cent increase in tourist arrivals in May and June respectively, compared with last year."