MALAYSIA OFFERS INCENTIVES TO INDIAN TOUR OPERATORS

NEW DELHI, Dec 13 (Bernama) -- Following a record number of Indian
tourist arrivals this year, the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB), is
offering special incentives to Indian tour operators to entice even more
visitors in 2009.

Until November, a record 501,563 Indians visited Malaysia, surpassing the
half-a-million mark set by the agency for 2008 and for next year, the band has
been raised to 600,000.

But against the back-drop of a global economic cringe coupled with looming
security threats in the South Asian region, especially India, travellers could
tighten their belts, thus slowing tourist arrivals into Malaysia.

"This November we breached the 500,000 mark set for the year. India is
an important short haul market for us.

"Taking into account the current situation and the difficulties faced by
Indian tour operators, we are announcing financial incentives to ensure they
continue their promotion activities and make Malaysia a favourite
destination.

"This is to enable us to achieve the 600,000 target for Indian tourists in
2009," Zainuddin Abd Wahab, the director of Tourism Malaysia who was in Delhi
told Bernama.

Under the proposed incentive scheme, from January to March, tour
operators in India's metropolitan cities will receive RM3,600 (US$1,000) for
consolidated bookings of a minimum 500 people.

For non-metropolitan cities, the operators will earn RM1,800 (US$500) for
sending a minimum of 200 travellers to Malaysia.

The MTPB will also assist the tour operators in encouraging the corporate
sector to host their annual activities such as meetings, incentives, conventions
and exhibitions in Malaysia by offering RM36 (US$10) to RM72 (US20) per head
based on the size of the group, said Zainuddin.

Extensive marketing and promotions by Tourism Malaysia offices in India has
helped sell Malaysia as a leading destination for the growing number of affluent
Indians, who see Malaysian holiday destinations as value for money.
--BERNAMA