MALAYSIA - hopes to reap benefits of its tourism sales missions to China and India

eTN Asia, 25-10-2006

Malaysia is looking at expanding its tourism ties with India and China.

Even as it continues the positive trend of registering more than one million visitors per month, Malaysia is aggressively targeting expansion of tourist base from Asia’s most populous nations India and China. In order to capitalize on opportunities in two source markets, Malaysia has recently taken series of initiatives including sales mission to both the countries. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, YB Dato’ Donald Lim, headed the sales mission to China recently. The delegation was scheduled to visit Zhengzhou (Henan province) and Jinan, Yantai and Qingdao (Shandong province) to strengthen the presence of Malaysia in the China market. The other main objectives are to publicize the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 events; to develop the market and promote Malaysia as an enjoyable holiday destination to Chinese tourists; to update the Chinese travel trade industry on new tourism products, packages and attractions; and to provide the Malaysian private sector with a platform to enhance their networking with the respective Chinese counterparts. Among other developments, the SE Asian nation is also planning to set up more Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) offices in the Northeast region to attract more Chinese to visit Malaysia next year.

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