TOURISM INDUSTRY EXPANSION A BOON TO HOSPITALITY SECTOR, SAYS DR NG

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's tourism industry's expansion
is to open up significant investment opportunities in the hospitality sector as
Malaysia upgrades her capacity to receive potential investors.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said additional four-and five-star hotels
were needed to support the country's bid to triple the industry's contributions
to the gross national income (GNI) by 2020 under the Economic Transformation
Programme (ETP).

She said the ministry was trying to encourage the creation of an inclusive
industry which embraces and integrates all ranges and types of accommodation.

"Tourism infrastructures are mainly related to accessibility. Be they by
air, ground or maritime, there must be good connectivity and ease of access.

"There must be a certain standard for accessibility as far as physical
infrastructures are concerned," she said in an interview with Oxford Business
Group (OBG) for "The Report: Malaysia 2011".

OBG Malaysia Country director and editorial manager Daniel Moore said the
report would mark the culmination of more than six months of on-the-ground
research by OBG and prospects for foreign direct investments, macro-economics,
infrastructures, political landscape, banking and sectoral developments.

"Our report will also provide coverage of the opportunities for investment
in infrastructures recognised as the key component in Malaysia's bid to seal its
reputation as a preferred tourism destination," he said in a statement.

"The Report: Malaysia 2011" will be produced in partnership with the
Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department and the Malaysian
Investment Development Authority (MIDA).