Malaysia's Tourism Revenue Expected To Hit RM44.5 Billion This Year

November 22, 2007 17:40 PM

Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (centre) at a press conference to announce the month-long sale which will be launched on Dec 1. Pix: Syed Muhammad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The tourist ringgit is expected to ring Malaysia's coffers to the tune of RM44.5 billion this year.

The figure, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, was based on the targeted 20.1 million tourist arrivals in the country.

He said it constituted an increase of RM8.3 billion compared with last year when the tourism revenue totalled RM36.2 billion.

"I'm confident of the total tourism revenue target, based on what tourists spent on shopping alone for the first six months of the year.

"Between January and June, tourists spent RM6.8 billion in tourist ringgit compared with RM3.6 billion for the same period last year, indicating an 86.3 per cent increase.

"I hope the Malaysia Year End Sale 2007 (M-YES) will help promote the country as a shopping haven," he told a news conference today to announce the month-long sale which will be launched on Dec 1.

The highlights of the sale include "It's a Girl Thing Shopping Fair" and a "Journey Through Time" watch and jewellery exhibition.

Tengku Adnan said: "We are looking at the various shopping trends of tourists to boost the sale.

"For example, tourists from India buy lots of electronic items while those from other countries spend on jewellery."

Singling out The Gardens and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the two newest shopping malls in the city, he said they could enhance a unique shopping experience for tourists.

He also said that a "Best Decorated Mall" contest with the theme "Christmas Magic" would be held on Dec 5-26 to encourage participating malls in the Klang Valley to create the best possible festive shopping ambience.

"We hope the shopping malls will put on a good show to lure more customers as we are working with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to encourage funding for window dressing, among others," he added.

On extending the "late night sales" past midnight for selected malls nationwide during the M-YES event, Tengku Adnan said it would depend on the response of shoppers.

Source: BERNAMA