WTM Connect Asia 2016 To Have US$3.8 Mln Economic Impact On Tourism Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The World Travel Market (WTM) Connect Asia 2016 exhibition, to be held in northern state of Penang next month, is expected to have an economic impact of US$3.83 million (RM15 million), annually, on the country's tourism industry. Malaysian Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) Chief Executive Officer Zulkefli Sharif said the three-day exhibition from May 18 would serve as a platform for Malaysia and other Asian countries to develop a niche business-to-business international leisure travel trade event. "The (WTM) Connect Asia 2016 will offer a unique one-to-one format which allows exhibitors to exclusively meet international hosted buyers. Ninety per cent of the exhibitors and buyers are international participants. Those from the Asia Pacific region will account for 40 per cent, Europe (20 per cent), Middle East and Africa (10 per cent each) and North America and Latin America (five per cent each). "The three-day exhibition is expected to rake in an international spend of about RM7.7 million (US$1.97 million)," he told a press conference on the WTM Connect Asia 2016 here Monday. Tourism Malaysia Director-General Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said as host, Penang's vibrant culture and site attraction would showcase Malaysia's 'Truly Asia' brand perfectly and offer the perfect combination of business and leisure experience. Malaysia is the first Southeast Asian country to host the annual event which is supported by Ministry of Tourism and Culture, MyCEB, Tourism Malaysia and State Tourism of Penang. -- BERNAMA