ID :
102941
Wed, 01/27/2010 - 18:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/102941
The shortlink copeid
MINISTRY TARGETS 24 MILLION TOURIST ARRIVALS FOR 2010
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Tourism Minister Dr Ng
Yen Yen is confident of 24 million tourist arrivals this year, an increase from
the 23.65 million recorded last year.
Announcing the target at the National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) media
briefing for Malaysia yesterday, she said it would be achieved through several
strategies such as holding new international events while continuing with
existing events.
"We will continue the F1 Petronas Grand Prix at Sepang in April, Colours of
Malaysia cultural performance, and bring back the International Floral Parade,
in conjunction with the Floral Festival in Putrajaya.
"We will be also be organising the first Malaysian contemporary art festival
from July to September," she said, during the briefing held in conjunction with
the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2010.
Last year, Malaysia recorded an increase of 7.2 per cent in tourist
arrivals,
from 22.05 million the previous year.
Another target set by the country is to increase the number of repeat
visitors and the average length of stay, said Dr Ng.
"Currently, the average length of stay is 6.4 days and we want to increase
it to eight days.
"We also want to increase the percentage of repeat visitors from developed
countries, from the current 17 per cent (of overall tourist arrivals) to 30
per cent, maybe in three years' time and gradually to 50 per cent in five
years," she added.
To a question, Dr Ng said Malaysia would focus on the Middle East market --
besides China and India -- where sufficient visibility and promotional
activities would be held, and even promoting 'Malaysia, My Second Home' to its
people.
Popular travel guidebook Lonely Planet has chosen Malaysia as one of the
world's top 10 countries to visit for 2010, where the country was the only
Southeast Asian country in the top ten list.
The guide has also identified Malaysia as one of the 'Best Value
Destinations for 2010', in addition to being among the 'top spots for medical
adventures'.
-- BERNAMA
Yen Yen is confident of 24 million tourist arrivals this year, an increase from
the 23.65 million recorded last year.
Announcing the target at the National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) media
briefing for Malaysia yesterday, she said it would be achieved through several
strategies such as holding new international events while continuing with
existing events.
"We will continue the F1 Petronas Grand Prix at Sepang in April, Colours of
Malaysia cultural performance, and bring back the International Floral Parade,
in conjunction with the Floral Festival in Putrajaya.
"We will be also be organising the first Malaysian contemporary art festival
from July to September," she said, during the briefing held in conjunction with
the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2010.
Last year, Malaysia recorded an increase of 7.2 per cent in tourist
arrivals,
from 22.05 million the previous year.
Another target set by the country is to increase the number of repeat
visitors and the average length of stay, said Dr Ng.
"Currently, the average length of stay is 6.4 days and we want to increase
it to eight days.
"We also want to increase the percentage of repeat visitors from developed
countries, from the current 17 per cent (of overall tourist arrivals) to 30
per cent, maybe in three years' time and gradually to 50 per cent in five
years," she added.
To a question, Dr Ng said Malaysia would focus on the Middle East market --
besides China and India -- where sufficient visibility and promotional
activities would be held, and even promoting 'Malaysia, My Second Home' to its
people.
Popular travel guidebook Lonely Planet has chosen Malaysia as one of the
world's top 10 countries to visit for 2010, where the country was the only
Southeast Asian country in the top ten list.
The guide has also identified Malaysia as one of the 'Best Value
Destinations for 2010', in addition to being among the 'top spots for medical
adventures'.
-- BERNAMA
