Move to draw Indon tourists
By PARVEEN GILL
JAKARTA: Malaysia is ready to welcome some 20.1million visitors from around the globe in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007 (VMY 2007), including some two million tourists from Indonesia.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the market for Indonesian tourists had been given special attention since 1998 due to its high potential and the purchasing power of the people.
“Although the world was hit by SARS, tsunami and inconsistent rises in oil prices, tourist arrivals to Malaysia from Indonesia have remained the same,” he said.
“Currently, Indonesia ranks third after Singapore and Thailand where tourist arrivals are concerned. Last year, 962,957 Indonesians visited Malaysia, up from 789,925 in 2004.
“A total of RM1.44bil was collected as revenue from the 28.6% rise.”
Tengku Adnan said between January and August this year, more than 800,000 Indone- sians visited Malaysia, com- pared with 642,343 in the corresponding period last year.
Based on a study by the Immigration Department and Statistics Department, Indone- sian visitors spend between RM1,500 and RM2,100 for nine days in Malaysia, and 75.1% are repeat visitors.
He said this before launching VMY 2007 in the republic at the Shangri-La Hotel near here yesterday.
Tengku Adnan, who arrived here on Thursday, is currently leading a team of Malaysia delegates, including print and electronic media representatives, on a VMY 2007 road show in the republic organised by Tourism Malaysia.
The promotion in Indonesia ends the worldwide road show to promote Malaysia. VMY 2007 is also being held to commemorate the country’s golden jubilee.
About 800 people gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel’s ballroom to witness the launch, and guests were entertained to Malaysian cultural performance by locals who were specially trained by choreographer Sharial Akla from Istana Budaya.
There were also a traditional musical presentation, a performance by famous Malay- sian singer Nora and lucky draws.
Also present were Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim and deputy Information minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Source : STAR
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