BOOSTER SHOT FOR MALAYSIAN TOURISM - MINISTER

LANGKAWI, June 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysian tourism is set to be injected with
a booster shot in the arm, via cooperation with neighbouring countries.

Already, the first round of discussions with the relevant parties took off
in Jakarta recently, which will soon be followed by a second round in Kuala
Lumpur next week.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said the cooperation was important as the
industry was inter-related, besides its vast attractions.

"The plan will see a few cities in Malaysia having 'twins' with other
cities in neighbouring countries, apart from developing potential new tourist
destinations which could attract more foreign tourists to visit this country.

"We are confident that as the nation's second biggest economy contributor,
tourism would create more job opportunities, once the cooperation is carried
out," she told reporters after officiating the Asia Pacific Executive Training
Programme on Tourism Policy and Strategy here Tuesday.

The six-day programme which began yesterday, is co-organised by the
ministry, United Nations World Tourism Organisation and South Korea's Culture,
Sport and Tourism Ministry.

Participants from 16 countries are attending the programme.

According to Dr Ng, Malaysia's National Tourism and Eco-Tourism Plan would
shield the tourism industry from being affected by the economic crisis, and at
the same time, the environment would not be sacrificed.

"The Government is acting very responsibily on this matter. Thus, the
National Tourism Plan for 2011-2020 which is being framed, is taking the
greenery factor into consideration," she added.

In her opening speech, Dr Ng said that 2009 was a challeging year as the
tourism industry was affected by the weakened economy and diseases such as
influenza A(H1N1).

"With that, the ministry will have a re-look on the tourist arrivals in the
country to give the tourism sector a boost," she added.

The minister said more than 22 million foreign tourists who visited Malaysia
last year, spent about RM49 million but the figure was expected to drop this
year. (US$1=RM3.50)
-- BERNAMA