7.2 PER CENT INCREASE IN TOURIST ARRIVALS DESPITE NEGATIVE FACTORS

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The number of tourists visiting Malaysia
increased by 7.2 per cent to 23.6 million last year compared to 22 million in
2008, Malaysia tourism minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said.

She said that Malaysia and Korea were the two countries in Asia which saw
the highest increase in tourist arrivals in 2009 while other countries
experienced a drop due to the economic downturn and the Influenza A(H1N1)
outbreak.

She said tourists from China contributed substantially to the increase with
each spending an average of RM2,400 (US$705) while on holiday in Malaysia.

Dr Ng was speaking to reporters Friday after opening the Malaysia-China
Chamber of Commerce Exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here
organised in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.

"We hope tourists from China will also make Malaysia their transit point
enroute to the Middle East or on their way back."

Dr Ng said Malaysia's tourism sector could be further expanded with more
creative initiatives such as promoting the people's traditional food.
-- BERNAMA


Attachments:
untitled-[2] 3.4 k [ text/html ] Download | View
Delete & Prev | Delete & Next