Malaysia Targets 300,000 Tourists From UK

November 11, 2008 00:52 AM

LONDON, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia targets 300,000 tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom this year, said Tourism Malaysia director (UK and Ireland) Abdul Rauf Hassan.

He said the target could be achieved, as 274,000 tourist arrivals had been recorded from the UK till September.

"Last year, tourist arrivals from UK numbered 272,000. This year we project the number will reach 300,000," he told reporters when met at Tourism Malaysia's booth, known as the Malaysia Pavilion, at the World Travel Market (WTM) exposition at the ExCel Centre here Monday.

Abdul Rauf said the many promotion activities done by Tourism Malaysia especially in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia Year coupled with the many travel road shows undertaken by it had attracted many UK tourists to come to Malaysia.

He all states in Malaysia should participate in such activities so as to promote them to foreign tourists.

"As a by product they can also attract investors to their respective states," he said.

Abdul Rauf said for the WTM this year, apart from Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Sepang International Circuit, hotel operators and tour agencies, only six states - Kedah (Langkawi Geopark), Selangor, Perak, Penang, Terengganu and Sabah - took part.

He added that Tourism Malaysia targeted at least 50,000 people to come and visit the Malaysia Pavilion.

Some 650 exhibitors from 191 countries are promoting their tourism products at the four-day fair which opened on Monday.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is scheduled to open the Malaysia Pavilion Tuesday.

Source: BERNAMA

State Governments Line Up Events For VMY'07

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

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Minister Welcomes First Batch Of Visitors As VMY 2007 Begins

January 01, 2007 01:44 AM

SEPANG, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- A group of Chinese visitors arrived at the KL International Airport here in the wee hours of the morning, making them the first group of travellers to Malaysia as the country's Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 gets underway.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor welcomed the passengers of China Eastern Airlines flight MU0539 from Pudong/Shanghai which landed at about 12.30am.

"On behalf of the government and people of Malaysia, it gives me a great pleasure to welcome our first group of visitors to Malaysia with a warm 'Selamat Datang' or ' Huan Yin', since this group comes from China," he said at a special welcoming reception.

Meanwhile, a Cebu Pacific Airlines plane from Manila touched down at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal at 12.35am.

VMY 2007, through which the country expects 20.1 million visitors and hopes to earn RM44.5 billion in foreign exchange, will be officially launched at the Taman Tasik Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 6.

The minister described Malaysia as a travel product "for all seasons all year round".

"Whether you come for our million-year-old untouched rainforests, pristine beaches and idyllic islands, culture and heritage, colourful festivals or for our multi-ethnic gastronomic experiences, we have what it takes to satisfy every interest and budget," he said.

Along with international-class hospitality services and shopping places, Malaysia is an ideal one-stop, short-haul holiday destination, he said in extolling the attractions of this multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation of 26 million people.

He said it was important for visitors to the country to know that Malaysians were by nature caring, peace-loving, hospitable and advocated moderation over extremism.

"The comfort and well-being of our guests and visitors have been and will always be of utmost priority in the long-standing Malaysian tradition of hospitality," he said.

Source: BERNAMA

Keyword: Sepang, China Eastern Airlines, Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Cebu Pacific Airlines, Low Cost Carrier Terminal, LCCT, Taman Tasik Titiwangsa