MALAYSIA REVISES DOWN TOURIST ARRIVAL TARGET

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has revised down its tourist
arrival target for this year, from 24 million to 20 million, amid the global
economic downturn and the spread of the Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic.

Acting Tourism Malaysia Director-General Amirruddin Abu said the two
factors had affected the global tourism industry, including Malaysia's.

"There are already cancellations from the Middle East. However, they are
still at a minimal level," he told reporters after attending a media conference
on the second season of the Muay Thai reality TV programme, "The Contender
Asia", shooting of which will be held in Malaysia.

Osys Group won the US$1 million bid to host the programme, beating
contenders from the United States, Macau, Thailand, Singapore and Australia.

The programme is jointly produced by Imagine OmniMedia Pte Ltd (Singapore),
Marc Burnett Productions, DreamWorks SKG and World Muay Thai Council.

Two Malaysian participants -- Mohd Faizal Ramli, 20, from Pasir Putih,
Kelantan and Bernard Radin, 37, from Sarikei, Sarawak -- will be up against 16
Muay Thai exponents in the 15-week face-off.

The programme is expected to have 1.2 billion viewerships from 60 countries.
The winner will receive USD$250,000.

-- BERNAMA