MORE PROMOTIONS TO ATTRACT MALAYSIANS TO GIFU, JAPAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Gifu Prefecture in central Japan plans to organise several events to attract more Malaysian tourists, said its governor Hajime Furuta.

He said the number of Malaysians visiting its capital, Gifu city, was low
compared to other cities in Japan though Malaysians had much interest in
Japanese culture and food.

"From 160,000 foreign tourist arrivals we had last year, only 460 were from
Malaysia, while the number from Singapore and Thailand was much higher," he said
at the Gifu Prefecture Tourism Promotion in Malaysia, here, Friday.

Furuta said about 3,000 Singaporeans visited Gifu last year compared to 1,000 in
2008, while Thai tourists numbered 10,000 last year from 9,000 a year before.

"Malaysia and Gifu have great potential to further improve exchange and deepen
understanding of each other. We believe that Gifu alone will provide a variety
of experiences and tour options," he said.

"On our part, we will do our utmost to come up with new and original menus to
attract tourists, and hope you (tourism agencies) will work together with us to
create something that will appeal to the average Malaysian," he added.

Furuta said Gifu would participate in Malaysia's Matta Fair in September in a
bid to promote the prefecture and its attractions.

Gifu will also display its goods in Malaysia's major stores such as
Isetan in June next year.

Located between Tokyo and Osaka, Gifu Prefecture has long played an
important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through
such routes as the Nakasendo.

It has numerous attractions such as the Okuhida Hot Spring Village, Mount Kinka
and Gifu Castle, Osaka Falls and Shinhotaka Ropeway, the largest in Asia.
-- BERNAMA