TOURISM MALAYSIA EMBARKS ON HEALTH TOURISM RESEARCH

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama)-- Tourism Malaysia will embark on a
three-year extensive plan to collect data and market profile on health
tourism, as part of its strategy to make Malaysia a premier health and wellness
destination.

Tourism Malaysia's Director of Research and Industry Development Division
Zulkifly Md Said said the research was very important in order to identify
potential markets in the health and wellness industry that could be tapped.

"We will also work on promotional activities such as the familiarisation
trips and produce marketing support materials such as pamphlets, posters and
buntings," he said at the Malaysia Health Tourism Seminar 2009 here Thursday.

Speaking on the topic "Tourism Malaysia's Plan and Strategies in Relation
with Health Tourism For The Country", Zulkifly said the country would be
targeting higher income groups from less developed countries like Bangladesh,
Indonesia and Cambodia, as well as the middle income executives from developed
nations like Japan, United States and Europe.

"However, we are not forgetting the locals. Through this programme the
locals can benefit from the development of healthcare infrastructure and the
upgraded clinical standards and governance, which means better facilities and
better healthcare for them," he said.

The one-day seminar was attended by 200 participants comprising tourism
industry players while 14 organisations related to the health tourism industry,
set up booths to promote their products and services.
-- BERNAMA