ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN HAS NO EFFECT ON MALAYSIA'S TOURISM

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Malaysia), Dec 27 (Bernama) -- The global economic slowdown
will not affect Malaysia's tourism industry as the country has value added
products that can attract visitors, said Deputy Tourism Minister Sulaiman Abdul
Rahman Abdul Taib.

"Tourists are attracted to Malaysia because of the low cost as it is a
lot cheaper than visiting United States and Europe that will prove costly," he
told reporters when presenting keys to the new surau at Taman Desa Ilmu here
Friday.

Sulaiman said the Tourism Ministry was aggressively promoting Malaysia's
tour packages in the Middle East, Australia and China.

"Local tour operators need not worry over the global economic situation as
Malaysia is still the destination of choice for many foreign visitors," he
added.

--BERNAMA