TOKYO, JAPAN, 21 SEPTEMBER 2018: Tourism Malaysia’s participation in Tourism Expo
Japan 2018 from 20 to 23 September 2018 in Tokyo, a major trade and consumer
travel fair in Japan, underscores its efforts towards promoting sustainable and
inclusive tourism.
During the expo, YB Tuan Mohamaddin Ketapi,
the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, participated in the 2nd
Ministerial Round Table Session, an event jointly organised by Japan
Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and United Nations World Tourism
Organisation (UNWTO).
He touched on Malaysia’s efforts towards
promoting sustainable tourism through initiatives outlined in the National
Ecotourism Plan (2016-2025) and the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020).
He also highlighted another segment of
sustainable tourism that encouraged socially and culturally responsible
tourism, which is Muslim-Friendly Tourism. He said, “The Ministry of Tourism,
Arts and Culture Malaysia, through its agency the Islamic Tourism Centre, has
developed a set of guidelines for tourism industry players and investors to
develop business and services that cater to and meet the needs of the lucrative
Muslim tourist market.”
“Malaysia is the first country in the world
to produce such a standard and this has become a document referred to by many
countries who are interested in developing this segment,” he added.
The Minister also officiated the Tourism
Malaysia booth at the expo on 21 September, and launched Tourism Selangor’s
latest tourism packages.
In addressing the local travel trade and
media there, he said, “Malaysia has all the attractions that appeal to
travellers from Japan. Our diverse tourism offerings range from
million-year-old rainforests and islands and beaches to shopping and luxury
holidays.”
He added, “I take this opportunity to promote
to the Japanese market regarding Malaysia’s sustainable tourism. One of our
most successful of such programmes is the community-based tourism programme
which we call the Malaysia Homestay Experience. It offers participants the
opportunity to experience the authentic Malaysian way of life through our food,
culture and festivals, and daily life activities. I urge you to introduce this
programme to a larger Japanese market here.”
Other key examples of Malaysia’s sustainable
tourism products include Danum Valley, Tabin Wildlife Resort and Mount
Kinabalu.
The Minister was confident of tourist arrival
growth from Japan as the two countries are well-connected. Major airports in
Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo offer a total of 62 weekly direct flights to Malaysia
with 18,373 seats, via Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia X, Japan Airlines, and All
Nippon Airways.
“I welcome all Japanese to our shores to
experience the Malaysia Truly Asia hospitality and enjoy our islands and
beaches, food, culture, history, nature and more,” he said.
Malaysia’s presence at the expo this year
underlines its 40th year of participation, symbolizing the country’s continued
interest in this market and support for the Japanese travel trade. The trip to
Japan is also an opportunity for the Minister to emphasise Malaysia’s intention
to maintain good relations with Japan. The Minister will make courtesy calls to
Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Hiroshige Seko, and the
Chairman of JATA, Mr. Hiromi Tagawa.
-Tourism Malaysia.http://www.malaysia.travel
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