Malaysian Tourism hosted a Networking and Appreciation Dinner at Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City on 12 March 2014 to promote ‘Laag Ta Sa Malaysia’ Visit Malaysia 2014. The event is Malaysia’s grandest and biggest celebration for promoting Malaysia’s tourism industry. The event was attended by Davao City Hon. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Hon. Consul General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir, Hon. Mohd Akbal Setia, acting head of Malaysian Tourism in the Philippines, Hon. Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre, and Hon. Lisette C. Marquez OIC, Davao City Tourism Office. The event was also well attended by travel agency representatives from Mindanao. The event started with a prayer for the immediate recovery of missing Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.
The opening remark was given by Hon. Mohd Akbal Setia. In his speech, he has met with airline companies and proposed to them to service this route. He hopes that (direct flight) will materialize this year. He also invited everyone to come and visit Malaysia to experience Malaysian unique tradition and customs as well as its great places to explore.
Hon. Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte also delivered his message in the event. The Mayor emphasized the importance of supporting the bilateral relation between Malaysia and Philippines especially in tourism industry sector. The mayor encouraged Davaweños to visit Malaysia in line with its campaign this year to promote Malaysian Tourism all over in the world, most especially to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
Tourism Malaysia is targeting more tourist arrivals from the Philippines as Filipinos have become the top 7 tourist generating markets to Malaysia last year (2013) with 277, 378 arrivals from January to June.
Consulate General of Malaysia
Davao City
Philippines
14 March 2014