MALAYSIANS EXPECTED TO MAKE TWO OVERSEAS TRIPS NEXT YEAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysian travellers are likely to make
two international trips next year with self organised travel the most prefered,
a survey shows.

Visa country manager (Malaysia), Stuart Tomlinson said 56 percent of 522
respondents preferred to make direct bookings with hotels and airlines compared
to flexible individual tour agencies, packaged group tour and personal guided
tour.

"Majority of respondents cite travel deals and promotion as their biggest
motivation for overseas travel followed by visiting new places," he said in a
statement Wednesday.

The findings were made in the Visa-Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Asia Pacific Travel Intentions Survey 2010.

Tomlinson said the survey found that Malaysian travellers intend to spend an
average RM3,779 (US$1,209) in their next trip overseas, with 40 percent of the
total for air fares and travel accommodation.

However, food would be the utmost reason for the local travelling overseas
comprising 77 percent of the total respondents.

"Coming from a country renowned for its great quality and variety of food,
it is no surprise that Malaysian travelers have gourmet expectations and are
willing to spend more on food when making overseas trips," he said.

Some 62 percent were likely to spend on the opportunity to experience other
cultures, 58 percent to visit exotic destinations, 55 percent on convenience or
hassle free services and 52 percent on travel adventures, he added.

-- BERNAMA