MALAYSIA IN THE COMPANY OF WORLD-CLASS TRAVEL SPOTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is in the company of world-class
travel destinations, according to a study by FutureBrand, a leading brand
consultancy.

Malaysia has earned two coveted spots as one of the world's top 10 country
brands for the first time in the fifth annual Country Brand Index (CBI).

This year saw Malaysia entering the Best Resort and Lodging Options
category at 10th place, FutureBrand said in a statement

Malaysia also maintains its seventh spot as Best Country Brand for Value
for Money proposition.

The CBI is a comprehensive study of about 3,000 international
business and leisure travellers from nine countries.

It examines how countries are branded and ranked and identifies emerging
global trends in the world's fastest growing economic sector -- travel and
tourism -- which accounted for US$944 billion in international tourism receipts
last year.

Added recognition for the 2009 CBI list reflects Malaysia's continuing
strength in the tourism sector.
-- BERNAMA