MALAYSIA'S TOURISM INDUSTRY TO FOCUS ON NICHE MARKETS

LONDON, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry will focus more on
potential niche markets next year to help boost Malaysia's tourism
industry.

Its minister Azalina Othman Said said the niche areas included
health tourism, eco-tourism, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme and
domestic tourism via the Zoom Malaysia programme.

She said the strategy was aimed at increasing the number of tourist
arrivals in the country and help generate national income while facing the world
economic crisis.

"We will focus on niche markets next year such as conventions,
medical-tourism, education-tourism and the MM2H programme. Aggressive promotion
is being carried out," she told reporters after visiting Tourism Malaysia's
office here Wednesday.

She said the ministry would also concentrate on value-added tourism to
ensure tourists who loved scuba diving or extreme sports would return to
Malaysia for another round of great experience.


"Some tourists who really enjoy the outdoor activities here will definitely
come again. Tourists from Japan and Korea will return to Malaysia as they like
to play golf and have a second home here," she said.

Apart from the niche markets, she said Malaysia would also focus on family
and budget-tourism.

She said the tourism industry generated RM46 billion (US$1=RM3.58) for the
economy last year and was the second largest contributor after
manufacturing.

-- BERNAMA