Hotels see more locals than foreign guests

More Malaysians stayed in local hotels compared with foreign tourists last year. The ratio, according to data collected by hoteliers, was four locals to every three foreigners.

Although the difference is is not much, Ministry of Tourism domestic marketing division director Abdul Rahman Shaari hoped there would be another 10 per cent increase in the domestic tourism sector this year.

"It's necessary to focus on domestic tourism as it is a market that can be relied on, especially when an international crisis takes place," he said adding that the ministry fully supported the Malaysian Domestic Tourism Fair (MDTF), scheduled to be held next weekend at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, as it highlights domestic tourism.

The ministry is by far the largest participant of the annual affair with 48 booths redesigned to fit 60 exhibitors from all over Malaysia. Visitors to the ministry's booths can expect to find bargains from hoteliers, travel agents and other tourism service providers.

Shaari said that there were many interesting places for locals to visit within the country, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

"We hope to increase traffic between the two states and West Malaysia as some people from the peninsular have yet to step foot into that side of the country."

The ministry has also lined 45 lucky draw prizes for those who buy travel packages from their exhibitors during the fair. The lucky draw is divided into three categories which will see 15 winners per draw daily in each of the categories. Prizes include hotel stays at resorts nationwide and spa packages.

For more information on MDTF, call 03-22871830 or visit www.ntcm.com.my

Source : NST
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]