TOURISM MALAYSIA ON THE ROAD AGAIN

By Neville D'Cruz

MELBOURNE, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia is in the midst of its
fourth annual roadshow to provincial and regional cities in the states of
Victoria and Tasmania.

Led by Tourism Malaysia Melbourne business development manager Hasanti
Perera, the touring team includes wholesalers and package promoters.

Among them are Creative Holidays, Viva/Qantas Holidays, Adventure World,
Adventure Destinations, Peregrine Adventures, Club Med, Octopus Travel and
Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

Cities in the itinerary include Traralgon, Frankston, Albury/Wodonga,
Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong, Launceston and Hobart.

"Some of these towns and cities are quite far from Melbourne and when we
have our travel seminars and programmes in Melbourne, travel agents in outlying
areas find it difficult to leave their offices to attend.

"So we go to them. We promote Malaysia as a tourist destination and the
wholesalers promote their tour packages," said Tourism Malaysia Melbourne
director Putra Hilmy Elias.

Putra said turnouts at these provincial roadshows have been fantastic.

"They pay rich dividends for us and they are cost-friendly.

"The global financial downturn will affect our business, but we are
confident the Australians, who have weathered the economic storm better than
most other wealthy countries, will continue to flock to Malaysia in increasing
numbers," he said.

Putra said "Malaysia My Second Home" programme is also being promoted in
regional cities.

"We distribute MY2H kits to all those who attend our roadshows," he added.
-- BERNAMA