January 01, 2007 18:09 PM
PENANG, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The new year, Monday also marked the start of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY'07).
The VMY'07, which is expected to draw 20.1 million tourists and enrich the national coffer by RM44.5 billion through foreign exchange earnings, will be officially launched at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 6.
"At least 240 (national level) tourism events will be held across Malaysia in conjunction with the VMY'07," Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said in an interview at the KL International Airport (KLIA), where he was busy welcoming tourists into the country.
In Penang, Tourism Committee Chairman Cheang Chee Gooi said the Penang government will hold more than 50 events, including four international tourism events, throughout this year.
The four international events are the Penang Bridge Run to be held in June, International Dragon Boat Festival (June), International Music Fest (June) and International Lantern Festival (September).
Cheang was speaking to reporters after welcoming 560 tourists from Singapore, Bangkok and China at Penang's Bayan Lepas International Airport.
Tomorrow, some 400 tourists from Germany are expected to arrive by luxury cruise liner "Star Cruise" at Swettenham Pier and 180 more are also expected to arrive at KTM Butterworth station by E&O Express train from Bangkok.
In KEDAH, Chairman of Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee Datuk Fong Chok Gin said the tourism associations in the State will work hand in hand with similar bodies in Thailand to promote the VMY'07 in Thailand.
"The VMY'07 promotion in Thailand is showing positive result," he told reporters after welcoming tourists at Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah, Monday.
He said at least 800 tourists from Thailand are expected to arrive in Kedah daily through Bukit Kayu Hitam entry point.
Thousands more will come by boat through Satun and by air from Bangkok starting from Jan 6.
He said at least 2.8 million tourists are expected to visit Kedah throughout the year, where 70 percent of them will be heading to the tourist island of Langkawi. In TERENGGANU, deputy chairman of Industrial Development and Tourism committee Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri said at least 2.8 million tourists are expected to visit the state this year compared to 2.3 million last year.
He said the state has lined-up various tourism programmes including 14 major events throughout the year.
Speaking to reporters at Sultan Mahmud Airport here, Mohd Nasir said the Terengganu government has spent RM10 million to promote VMY'07 and to upgrade tourism infrastructure.
He said various major events have been lined up throughout the year including the Terengganu Carnival in February, Bulan Citra Rasa (from June 1-3), Sultan Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge (from Nov 10-11), Terengganu Monsoon Cup in Dec; and Terengganu International Rainforest Challenge (from Dec 1-10).
In KELANTAN, some 500 tourists from Thailand arrived at the main entry point of Rantau Panjang today. They were led by Narathiwat Governor Karan Supkitvilekkarn and his deputy Nipon Nrapitakkun.
They were welcomed by Tourism Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Victor Wee.
In PERLIS, the state government is targeting at least 550,000 tourists to visit the state this year.
The state has lined up at least 13 national level tourism events and 31 state level tourism programmes throughout the year.
Perlis Tourism Action Council director Ahmad Bakri Ali said the state is seeking approval from the Federal Government to allow tourists from Thailand to use the Facilities Letter (FL) to enter Perlis.
"The FL will facilitate a hassle free travel for tourists from Thailand to visit Perlis," he said.
Source: BERNAMA
Keyword: Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia, Malaysia Tourism, Visit Malaysia Year 2007, VMY'07, VMY 2007, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, KL International Airport, KLIA, Tourism Minister, Malaysia Airport, Tourism Committee, Penang, Penang Bridge Run, International Dragon Boat Festival, International Music Fest, International Lantern Festival, Bayan Lepas International Airport, Star Cruise, Butterworth, E&O Express train, KEDAH, Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Langkawi, Terengganu, Sultan Mahmud Airport, Terengganu Carnival, Bulan Citra Rasa, Sultan Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge, Terengganu Monsoon Cup, Terengganu International Rainforest Challenge, Kelantan, Rantau Panjang, Tourism Ministry, Perlis, Perlis Tourism Action Council,
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