Tourism Malaysia to continue with hardsell

Tourism Malaysia will continue with aggressive promotional activities in countries which provide high tourist arrivals, its deputy director- general (planning) Amiruddin Abu said.

Amiruddin said, despite the cost-cutting measures initiated by the Government, its planned roadshows overseas would not be called off.

“Instead, we will strategise and prioritise our activities to hit the target of 2.5 million foreign visitors this year.

Greetings: Amiruddin (left) receiving a souvenir after launching the dialogue with participant s of the Fraser's Hill Internation al Bird Race event.

“I was told, so far, there is a 2% increase in foreign tourists arrival compared to the first five months of last year.

“Our target markets are China, Hong Kong, Europe, Australia, Britain, Russia, the Middle East and, of course, Asean countries,” he told Star Metro when met here recently.

Amiruddin said that tourism was a sectors, which had to march on despite an economic recession.

He said they would have to do some re-branding of certain ecotourism products and activities to lure visitors.

“Political stability is still among the main reason for a high influx of foreign visitors.

“Besides, the warm reception of locals, industry players such as hoteliers, tour agents and guides played an important role,” he said.

Citing the Fraser’s Hill International Bird Race as an example, he said the event attracted participation from all over the world.

“This race has been successful in enhancing awareness and appreciation of Fraser's Hill as an attractive eco-tourism destination.

“Last year, 50,128 visitors were recorded at Fraser’s Hill,” he said.

Amiruddin said they were confident the targeted number of tourist arrival would be met by the end of the year.

Source : STAR
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