NEED TO INCREASE AWARENESS IN ITALIAN MARKET - MINISTER

By Zaharah Othman

MILAN, May 29 (Bernama) -- There is a need for synergistic cooperation and
collaboration among travel operators in creating awareness on Malaysia, to
various groups in the Italian market, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen
said Friday.

Speaking during a luncheon meeting with Italian tour operators at the
Principe di Savaoia Hotel here Friday, she noted there was a lot of work to do
in the Italian market to promote Malaysian eco-tourism, lifestyle and family
enrichment programmes, among others.

Dr Ng, who is on a four-day visit here, said her ministry was looking at
ways
to increase awareness in the Italian market to lure more visitors to
Malaysia.

"I would like to bring our cultural group to perform in your towns and
participate in your festivals," she told the tour operators, while outlining
Malaysia's unique and rich culture that would interest Italian visitors.

The minister conceded that as in Munich, there was a need for a direct
flight from Milan to Malaysia.

"MAS (Malaysia Airlines) needs to look at Milan. If MAS cannot, then we
will
look at Air Asia which is already offering direct flights to London and many
other places," she said, adding that Tourism Malaysia would work with airlines
which bring in tourists into Malaysia.

On the political turmoil in Thailand, Dr Ng reiterated Malaysia's stand
that because Thailand was an Asean country, it was important that member
countries helped each other.

"We do not wish to take advantage of the situation as a drop in tourist
arrivals there will also affect everyone else," she said, conceding however,
that there were travellers who re-routed their destinations to Malaysia.

"We have had a big swing from China and India but long-haul visitors,
especially from the UK market, are more cautious," she said.

The week-long working visit which had also taken the minister to London and
Munich, saw much interest amongst travel operators on developments in Thailand.


Meanwhile, tour operator Manuel E. Cazzaniga, of Seiviaggi Tour Operator,
said there was "a good interest in the Italian market and the potential is big".

"I think the country could be promoted as a whole, not only nice beaches and
resorts but also the culture, the ethnic mosaic that you have and the quality of
life and the friendliness of the people, as well as the possibilty of investing
in the country.

"This is what people here are missing in their knowledge about Malaysia," he
noted.

For Professor Franco Brevini, language had not been a problem during his
four visits to the country where he enjoyed expeditions in Sarawak, scaling
Mount Kinabalu and exploring the geological structures and islands, which he
described as a tropical paradise.

"Malaysia is a destination where you can walk, climb and dive to discover
nature," he said, adding that he had introduced Malaysia to Italians who loved
outdoor activities.

-- BERNAMA