JOHOR BARU: Iskandar Malaysia is all set to be-come very much alive and tourist-friendly starting next year.

The Iskandar Malaysia Tourism Steering Committee, set up by the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) to oversee and expedite tourism development at the economic growth region, will initiate four tourism projects to attract visitors.

Top of the four is food and culture.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the best of cultural dance performances and partake of the local cuisine in Johor, all under one roof, at Rumah Limas in Danga Bay here every night.

A source close to Irda said one only had to pay a fraction of the price compared with other hotels to enjoy the delicacies dished up by well-known names in the food industry, while attendance at the performances is free.

"Local cuisine and traditional dances are what tourists are looking for when they come to a new place.

"The project will ensure that their wishes are fulfilled. They will dine and enjoy the show in the open air," said the source.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman is expected to launch the projects next month, which also include rural tourism, central business district's (CBD) heritage and human capital development.

On rural tourism, the committee will promote the Tanjung Piai mangrove forest and homestay programme in Pontian aggressively, as the former is an important landmark in Asia.

Proper signage, interpretative boards, pathways and brochures will be put up to welcome tourists at the landmark, which is at the southern-most tip of mainland Asia.

Homestay operators will be trained to speak in English and to attend to the needs of tourists.

On CBD heritage, the committee plans to draw up a heritage trail here to highlight the history and cultural aspects of the CBD.

"Along the trail, there would be several interpretative boards and pedestrian crossings.

"Brochure on the trails will be available for the convenience of those who do not need a guided tour," he said.

On human capital development, Irda will provide training for manpower in tourism, including tour guides, and frontliners in the industry such as taxi drivers.