MALAYSIA TO FOCUS ON ISLAND WEDDING PACKAGES

From Sh Nur Shahrizad Sy Mohamed Sharer

MOSCOW, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will give more focus on promoting island
wedding packages as a new tourism product to attract tourists from target
markets, including Russia, Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said.

She said that although a new idea, the ministry believed that such packages
had good potentials.

"I am going back (to Malaysia) and will call wedding planners and see how we
can create these packages," she told Malaysian reporters at the end of a
four-day sales mission to Russia.

During a news conference with the Russian media, Dr Ng was asked if any of
the Malaysian islands could be rented for special functions such as weddings.

"As there is such a question, I believe that the Russians can afford to have
weddings on rented islands," she said.

Malaysia has 1,700 islands, with Langkawi, which is one of the popular
holiday destinations among Russians, is made up of approximately 100 islands.

The wedding bells for Russians usually ring during summer which is around
July, and fall, which is between late August and early December.

Dr Ng said that to entice specific target tourists, well-developed packages
must be put in place.

It was therefore important for industry players to understand their
customers' interests and needs, she said.

"It is time for hotels to rethink their packages, to be more creative and
create appropriate activities for their customers to ensure they are not bored,
and stay longer in the country," she said.

Dr Ng said feedback from Russian tour operators indicated that some hotels
and holiday destinations in Malaysia, such as Langkawi, were too quiet with no
activities at night.

To deal with the issue, Dr Ng said, more programmes would be carried out
with tour operators and hoteliers to address the needs of Russian tourists,
similar to what had been done in addressing the needs of Chinese tourists.

On another note Dr Ng, who is MCA vice-president, conveyed her condolences
to the peoples of Padang, Indonesia and South Pacific, who were hit by disasters
which claimed the lives of thousands.

"I urge Malaysians travelling abroad to protect themselves through insurance
coverage because we never know what will happen," she said.
-- BERNAMA