Tourism Minister YB. Dr. Ng Yen Yen was in Iran on 5 – 9 May 2011 leading a delegation of senior officials from Tourism Malaysia to promote Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination. Several representatives from Hoteliers, Travel & Tour operators and Media’s were also in the delegation. The sales mission took the Minister to key cities in Iran including Shiraj, Isfahan and Tehran. While in Tehran, YB. Minister met with the Vice –President Hamid Borghaie who is also the Head of Iran Cultural Heritage and Cultural Organization (ICHTO) during which they exchanged views to further enhance bilateral tourism relationship. Both sides agreed to form a consortium comprising of Airlines, Tour Operators, Travel agencies and Tour Guides to facilitate tourism exchanges. In 2010, Malaysia recorded an increased of 14.3 percent or 116,252 as compared to 101,664 arrivals from Iran.
