Thursday, May 14, 2009

20 Million Tourist Arrivals Targeted This Year

A total of 20 million tourists are targeted to arrive this year compared to 22 million last year, Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said today.

"The tourist arrivals target has been reduced by eight percent. It is a reasonable target in view of the current global economic situation. It is also an achievable number," she told reporters after launching Malaysia Airlines' one-stop ticket centre at the Skypark Subang Terminal here.

She said the ministry would cooperate with agencies like Malaysia Airlines to undertake sales missions around the world to promote tourism activities.

The ministry also aimed to attract tourists to stay longer in Malaysia and spend more money, she added.

Asked about the Golden Third Age (G3A) programme, Dr Ng said the ministry was looking at countries like Japan and China.

"What is important now is for Malaysian tour operators and the various source countries to work together. This G3A is a fantastic programme. The initiatives of hotel and tour operators and airlines must come together. We will provide supporting brochures," she said.

The G3A programme is aimed at encouraging senior citizens to go for holidays.

On the impact of the H1N1 flu outbreak and meningitis on the tourism industry, Dr Ng said there was a need to deliver correct information on this matter.

"What is important is that we need to provide correct information to the media and tourism groups so that the information is channeled to the public and tourists coming to this country," she said.



Source : Bernama
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