BE MORE CREATIVE IN ATTRACTING TOURISTS

BEIJING, April 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysian tour operators and agencies have been urged to sharpen their creativity in packaging tourism products to attract more tourists especially from China.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said that they should provide
special packages without having to rely on the government to promote them.

"They (operators) are good but there is still room for improvement in terms
of competitiveness.

"We need to look into new ways of presenting of our products, for example
using the information communication technology such as through websites to
promote our products," she told reporters after the opening of the 5th
International Forum on Chinese Outbound Tourism here.

She said the Tourism Ministry was committed to ensuring that the tourism
industry was healthy despite the global economic slowdown.


"Operators and agencies cannot always be dependent on the government and the
ministry.

"What the Ministry will do is to make sure that the regulations are
followed, that the operators do not abuse the system and that the products
needed are there.

"All the operators need to do is to think creatively to improve their
products," she said.

Earlier in her speech, Dr Ng said based on the long relationship with China,
Malaysia remained a key destination for Chinese tourists turning to affordable
short-haul holidays.