Malaysia pins hope on jump in tourist traffic from Qatar
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| Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan B Tengku Mansor (right) and Malaysian Ambassador Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari at a press conference yesterday |
The Gulf Times (Doha): MALAYSIA last year attracted 10,000 tourists from Qatar but expects the figure to shoot up to 16,000 this year, a visiting minister said.
Minister of Tourism Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan B Tengku Mansor said his country was aggressively promoting tourism during this ?Visit Malaysia Year? (VMY), the 50th year of its independence.
The country was on a promotion strategy to attract 300,000 tourists from the Middle East in 2007, as against an arrival of more than 180,000 tourists last year.
The country?s efforts, which involved public and private stakeholders to further its tourism goals, included increase in the number of flights servicing the Qatar-Kuala Lumpur route to meet the expected demand of the Middle East market.
This year would see more than 240 year-round festivities, including 50 major events and five international mega activities taking place, the minister said.
These would highlight the country?s culture and heritage. Some of the cultural festivals include Colours of Malaysia and the Eid al-Fitr celebration in addition to sporting events such as Formula One Grand Prix, Le Tour De Langkawi, Monsoon Cup and other showcases like the Malaysia International Fireworks Exhibition, the minister said.
?Malaysia attracted 17.54mn people last year, which is a 6.8% growth compared with 2005. We are poised to top that with 20.1mn visitors in 2007 with a focused and intensified tourism strategy that involves all stakeholders,? he said.
Accompanying the minister were senior tourism officials and representatives from hotels, travel and tour operators, state governments, and Malaysia Airlines.
?Malaysia offers an unforgettable destination for GCC tourists with its perfect blend of breathtaking destinations and luxurious services and packages at competitive costs.
?Aside from a shared Islamic belief, Malaysia has famous theme parks such as Sunway Lagoon and Genting Highlands, amazing beaches in Langkawi and Penang, a newly-launched gigantic Ferris wheel called ?Eye of Malaysia? that provides spectacular views of Kuala Lumpur and shopping malls slated to hold mega-sales to mark its 50th Independence Day,? he said.
The delegation showcased the country?s golden jubilee commemoration with the theme ?One Golden Celebration?, which featured the numerous fetes and fabulous events to be held this year, at a seminar targeting travel and tourism industry players.
Participants also had a glimpse of Malaysian culture with performances by Malaysian artists.