LONDON DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES WITH MALAYSIAN THEMES PLYING LONDON ROUTES

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- From May 27, five of London's iconic red
double-decker buses fully wrapped with Malaysian themes including eco, nature
and underwater, will be plying London routes as part of an advertising campaign
by Tourism Malaysia to attract British tourists to visit Malaysia.

The bus campaign was launched by Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen
Yen at a special reception at the Malaysian High Commission in Belgrave Square,
London Thursday.

In her speech text emailed to Bernama here Friday, Dr Ng said besides taking
over the five buses, Tourism Malaysia was also participating in the Chelsea
Flower Show 2011 from May 24 until M ay 28.

She said the advertising campaign would run for 12 weeks from this week to
Aug 15.

"The buses will ply routes 414 (Battersea), 19 (Brixton) and 11 (Stockwell)
and the hope is to capture the interest of British tourists and other
international tourists to visit Malaysia.


"We are excited about the working partnership with Transport for London to
promote our fantastic destination on the most recognised public transport system
and the world's most iconic city that presents a great opportunity for Tourism
Malaysia.

"Londoners will be able to see giant exotic jungle and aquatic images of
Malaysia as part of a drive to promote the country's hugely diverse nature,
fantastic diving and growing ecotourism industry," she added.

On participation in the Chelsea Flower Show 2011, Dr Ng said Malaysia was
extremely honoured to have been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal, saying that
it was a tribute to the unique mixture of flora and fauna that the country
boasted.

She also said that 429,965 tourists from the United Kingdom visited Malaysia
last year, a decline of 1.2 per cent from 435,091 in 2009.

"Despite the decline, I am optimistic that with the economy in UK picking
up, tourist arrivals in Malaysia will increase," she said.

-- BERNAMA