M'SIA TOUTS WORLD-CLASS CONVENTION VENUES AT ABU DHABI SHOW

DUBAI, March 31 (Bernama) -- The Gulf Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings (GIBTM) 2009 exhibition opens in Abu Dhabi Tuesday, with Malaysia all set to woo more Arab travellers to its shores.

Tourism Malaysia is among more than 250 exhibitors taking part in the event
scheduled to run at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until April 2.

"Tourism Malaysia's booth at the GIBTM will showcase the various
attractions plus the many international-class convention venues available in
the country," the tourism promotion agency said in a statement.

From January this year, Malaysia received 18,363 tourists from the Middle
East, an increase of 35.3 per cent over the same period last year.

Last year, 264,338 tourists from this region visited Malaysia, an increase
of 7.8 per cent from the figure recorded in 2007.

"The Middle East is an important market for Malaysia," Tourism Malaysia
said, attributing the rise in tourist arrivals to support from travel agents
from both the Middle East and Malaysia.

As for conferences and exhibitions, the agency said Malaysia hoped to
attract business conglomerates in the Middle East to have their conferences,
meetings and exhibitions in the Southeast Asian nation of 27 million people.

"Good infrastructure, easy accessibility, political stability, good foreign
exchange, a value-for-money destination are some of the reasons why Malaysia
has been the preferred choice for meetings, incentives, conventions and
exhibitions (MICE)," it said.

The promotion at the GIBTM in Abu Dhabi will be based on new packages
coupled with more quality services and products.

Key segments that will be promoted include leisure holidays, shopping,
ecotourism and MICE packages, while the special interest promotion will include
education, honeymoon, homestay, Spa, golfing, diving and angling.

Leading the charge for Tourism Malaysia is Abdul Rahman Shaari, its
regional director for Africa, West and South Asia.
-- BERNAMA