India has maintained its position as the sixth top tourist generating market for Malaysia with 650,989 Indians visiting the country in 2013. This year, Tourism Malaysia is expecting close to 7.8 lakh tourists from India with the promotion of the ongoing Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 campaign. This fourth edition of VMY is being promoted with the theme “Celebrating 1Malaysia Truly Asia” to reflect the unity in diversity of Malaysians. With the Proboscis Monkey as the mascot for VMY 2014, this year is expected to be the biggest and grandest-ever tourism celebration of Malaysia, with 100 of events and festivals lined up to welcome tourists from across the world. After the first edition of VMY in 2007, Malaysia witnessed a 27 per cent increase in tourist arrivals in 2008.
Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, Director General, Tourism Malaysia, said, “India has always been an important market for us. With good air connectivity between India and Malaysia and promotional activities lined up for VMY 2014, we expect close to 7.8 lakh-8 lakh tourists from India. Malaysia is a safe and value-for-money destination. However, the challenge is limited to nightlife options in the country. In addition, we are working on improving the public transport to facilitate ease of travel.”
As part of its efforts to create awareness about VMY 2014 in the country, Tourism Malaysia had organised a four-city India Sales Mission during mid of this month. The Sales Mission, comprising 40 suppliers from Malaysia was held in Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi. Besides Taiyab, Dato’ Azizan Noordin, Deputy Director General, Tourism Malaysia and officials from Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture, state representatives and members of the travel trade were part of the Mission. While the primary objective of the Sales Mission is to strengthen Malaysia’s standing as a dream travel destination and increase tourist arrivals from India, the Director General is also looking to drive strong support from both, the Indian media and travel trade and airlines for the VMY 2014.
During the Sales Mission, Tourism Malaysia had organised a travel mart for the trade members to meet and network. It was also a platform to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings and highlight the scope for collaboration between travel agents of both nations. The Sales Mission also aims to strengthen Malaysia’s presence in South Asia, and to keep India’s travel trade, media and the corporate sector updated on the current issues and tourism development in Malaysia, especially during the VMY 2014 campaign period. More than 200 events have been lined up for tourists visiting Malaysia.
“Besides the famous attractions in Kuala Lumpur, we have a plethora of offerings to welcome Indian guests. From being the world’s favourite shopping destination, to having the world’s best beaches; from the most relaxing spa vacations to golfing holidays; from weddings and honeymoon locales and helicopter tours, one can be assured of perfect custom-made holiday,” added Taiyab.
Malaysia’s tourism sector continued to be a significant contributor to the country’s economy in 2013. Malaysia’s tourist receipts reached RM 65.44 billion, an 8.1 per cent increase from RM60.56 billion in 2012. Tourist arrivals grew by 2.7 per cent to 25.7 million compared to 25 million in 2012. VMY 2014 is expected to see around 28 million tourists visiting the country and generating receipts up to RM76 billion.
Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign expected to draw 7.8 lakh Indian tourists
No comments:
Post a Comment