H.E. AMBASSADOR TAN SRI ABDUL AZIZ ZAINAL AND MALAYSIA’S TOURISM AMBASSADOR DATO’ JEAN-TODT INTERVIEW WITH LE QUOTIDIEN DU TOURISME, DECEMBER 2011
Interview with His Excellency Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal
Ambassador of Malaysia to France
1. What makes Malaysia special?
What characterizes Malaysia is peacefulness, security and its inhabitants’ hospitality. Malaysia is a small democratic country with a 28-million population, which became independent in 1957. The country enjoys a strategic location in South-East Asia, 13-hour flight from Paris. Malaysia shares a border with Thailand in the north and Singapore in the south. Thirteen different states make up Malaysia consisting of Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo. Malaysia is a multiracial, multicultural and pluri-religious country. Various communities live together in harmony, among them are the Malays, the Chinese and the Indians.
2. What are Malaysia’s main assets?
Malaysia wishes to establish itself as an ideal destination for tourists wishing to discover Asia. It is an easily accessible destination from France with direct flights operated by national airline company Malaysia Airlines and budget carrier Air Asia X since February 14, 2011. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is very modern with an impressive architecture. Malaysia enjoys a sunny climate all year long and offers many sports and family activities. The country is known for its cuisine, which is a unique combination of refined exotic flavors available 24 hours a day and seven days a week. The most famous Malaysian dishes are the sate (barbecued beef or chicken), nasi lemak (rice) and rice cooked in coconut milk. Malaysia hosts many food festivals, especially in October and November, with famous chefs travelling all over the world. The cost of living is very affordable, you can spend your euros freely there.
3. What are the main activities that one can practice in Malaysia?
Malaysia is a festive country with a strong cultural heritage. Malacca and Penang are listed among Unesco World Heritage Sites. Malaysia offers the best dive sites in the world with Sipadan, Langkawi and Tioman. There are many golf courses with sea view and close to Mount Kinabalu, from where tourists can start hiking or go climbing on the Via Ferrata. The Formula 1 Grand Prix attracts many car racing enthusiasts from all over the world. The country also hosts several triathlons particularly in the State of Terengganu. Tourists can even go rafting in the rapids.
4. What would you suggest to a French tourist wishing to discover the Malaysian way of life?
The Ministry of Tourism of Malaysia has introduced a program called Homestay. This program allows visitors to live among the locals and learn more about their lifestyle. They can this way experience the sense of traditional hospitality prevailing in Malaysia by staying in rural Malaysian communities. The guests have the opportunity to take part in everyday activities such as farming, fishing or weaving.
5. What are the main events and festivals organized in Malaysia?
Malaysia hosts numerous events of many kinds. Among those, we can cite the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival, the Formula One Grand Prix of Malaysia, the Rainforest World Music Festival and the Malaysian Contemporary Arts Tourism Festival.
6. What are the ties between France and Malaysia?
France and Malaysia enjoy excellent relations. There is a lot of trade between our two countries (gas, oil, aerospace, high technology). Malaysia has a strong potential for foreign investments. In 2009, the Malaysian Prime Minister came to France to meet potential French investors.
7. What is the contribution of the tourism industry in Malaysia's economic development?
Tourism has become a significant sector for the Malaysian economy. In 2010, we achieved 13 million euros in tourism receipts, up by 5.8% compared to 2009 with 12.3 million euros. Malaysia is the ninth most visited country in the world with 24.6 million visitors in 2010. We hope we can reach 29 million tourists by 2015.
8. How many French people visited Malaysia?
Malaysia welcomed 111,175 French tourists in 2010. We hope we can reach 120,000 French tourists by the end of 2011.
9. Is Malaysia involved in the 2011 United Nations International Year of Forests?
Malaysia has always been extremely involved in the conservation of forest. The country is fully committed to ecotourism and sustainable development. The country has long protected its forests and the 130 million-year-old jungle of Borneo.
MALAYSIA, TRULY ASIA
"Malaysia is my second home"
Mr. Jean TODT
1. How did you discover Malaysia?
I discovered Malaysia for the first time during the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1999. A few years later, fate made me meet my wife Michelle Yeoh in 2004. She is very famous there and her family lives between Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. I made friends and relatives and, one day, I decided to join the Malaysia My Second Home program, very dear to Minister of Tourism Dato' Sri Ng Yen Yen. With my wife Michelle, we have an apartment in Kuala Lumpur where we do not go often given our respective schedules. We both have a different relationship to Malaysia.
2. What are your favorite vacation spots in Malaysia?
Naturally, there is Kuala Lumpur, but also Ipoh, where the cuisine is one of the best in the world. We also like Pangkor Laut a lot, where one of our friends owns an island. We go there whenever we have some spare time because it's a place we like a lot.
3. What would suggest to the French people who wish to visit Malaysia?
There are many things to do in Malaysia. It is one of the countries with the largest jungle in the world. Thus, it is a tropical climate. Cameron Highlands is a region I like a lot. It is a superb place with a pleasant climate. The nights are quite mild and pleasant. I've never been to Borneo yet, but I hope to do it because it is beautiful.
4. What do you think about the Malaysian cuisine?
The Malay cuisine is excellent. The Malaysians eat a lot, even at breakfast. Their cuisine is as good as the French cuisine.
5. In your opinion, how much does the Formula 1 contribute to the country's tourism development?
Malaysia is a beautiful country, but it was little known. At the time, Prime Minister Mahathir, now the chairman of Petronas, decided to create the circuit with his son Mokhzani Mahathir. The creation of this circuit has been crucial for Malaysia's development. This circuit has become an extremely important and traditional event of the Formula 1 season. It has also enabled to fantastically promote Malaysia in the whole world and increase the tourist traffic to this Asian country. It is true that, when you visit the country for the first time, the dimension of the Kuala Lumpur airport causes a shock. You realize it is a rich country thanks to its industry and culture. Malaysia, indeed, possesses a fascinating culture.
6. What are your projects for Malaysia's Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2012?
This Grand Prix has become a tradition because it is held every year. My personal wish is to spend Christmas in Malaysia like every year. As far as the Grand Prix is concerned, it will take place next year during the first part of the season like every year.
7. As President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), what are your achievements and your challenges?
The FIA's role can be divided into two parts. On the one hand, there is the sports part that everyone knows with the Formula 1 World Championship, World Rally Championship and the World Touring Car Championship. As of next year, we will include the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race to the FIA's calendar as part of the World Endurance Championship. The FIA is therefore the motor racing regulator in the world. The FIA also supervises all Automobile Clubs in the world.
In fact, there is an extremely important Automobile Club, which handles both tourism and sport. It is the Automobile Club of Malaysia. Thanks to our mobility programs, we boast several dozens of million members in the world. On the other hand, our primary concern is road safety in the world. It is some of the matters I raise regularly with the Malaysian government.
We had the opportunity to organize a one-week conference in Malaysia, held at the Mandarin Oriental hotel facing the Petronas Towers, attended by the entire FIA community. Among the issues discussed, we tackled all road-safety programs in the world.
As Malaysia's Tourism Ambassador, I enjoin everyone to visit this extraordinary country, because it is one of the most beautiful countries in Asia with a great culture, extremely nice and hospitable people. I am therefore very happy of the existence of a Malaysian Tourism Office in France.
For more information, please contact:
Director
Tourism Office of Malaysia, 29 rue des Pyramides 75001 Paris
Tel.: 01 42 97 41 71 Fax: 01 42 97 41 69
Web site: www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my