TOURIST ARRIVALS DROP DUE TO FLU SCARE

PORT DICKSON (Malaysia), July 14 (Bernama) -- The tourist arrivals in
Malaysia has dropped due the influenza A(H1N1) scare, said Tourism Minister Ng
Yen Yen.

She said the tourist arrivals from West Asia dropped by 49 per cent while
that of China, Taiwan and Japan by 20 per cent.

However, the number of travellers from Europe including the United Kingdom
have remained unchanged, she told reporters after opening Thistle Hotel here
Tuesday.

She said Malaysia was safe for tourists as the health authorities had taken
steps to prevent the spread of the disease.

Ng had called for a meeting with all 44 Tourism Malaysia directors abroad
to discuss promotional strategies to convince foreigners that Malaysia is safe
from the flu.
-- BERNAMA