AIRLINES LIKELY TO OFFER EXTRA SEATS TO M'SIA, SAYS OFFICIAL

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, May 5 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia is in conversation with several
Middle East airlines with a view to increasing the number of seats to Malaysia
to attract more tourists from this region.

Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (planning) Azizan Noordin said
several carriers like Emirates of the United Arab Emirates had given their
commitment on this matter.

"It is likely that the Dubai-based airline will mount extra 1,500 seats to
Malaysia for the coming summer holiday season," he told Bernama on the
sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2009 which opened Tuesday at the
Dubai International Conference and Exhibition Centre here.

This, he said, would help achieve the targeted 250,000 tourist arrivals
from the Middle East in 2009.

He said a Malaysian cultural troupe had the honour of performing at the
Emirates Brochure Launch Gala Dinner attended by Emirates' 800-plus agents from
all over the world on Sunday.

"We also took the opportunity to present what Malaysia has to offer at the
Tourism Malaysia booth during the event," said Azizan.

The onus, he said, was on Malaysian tourism players, from hoteliers to taxi
drivers, to step up in delivering quality service to foreign visitors to
Malaysia.

"Being the frontliners, they can really help up us in promoting the
country," he added.
-- BERNAMA