H1N1: TM DIRECTORS TOLD TO ALLAY FEAR ON MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- All Tourism Malaysia directors abroad
will discuss promotional strategies which will convince foreigners that Malaysia
is safe from the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic.

Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said the discussion with the 44
directors, which would begin tomorrow, was to allay the foreigners' fear of
coming to this country and thus achieving the target of a 19-million tourist
arrivals.

"In the wake of the world economic recession and the H1N1 pandemic, we would
not be able to receive 22 million tourists like last year," she told reporters
after opening the Most Beautiful Cheongsam Competition here Sunday night.

She said the ministry wanted the officers to communicate directly with
government officers and airlines abroad on marketing Malaysia as a tourist
destination.

Ng said China would be the main focus in the change in promotional
strategies as tourists from the country were found to have high purchasing
power.

-- BERNAMA