KUWAIT CITY, May 10 (Bernama) -- With colourfully-clad members of the Istana Budaya cultural troupe in tow, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen rolled up her sleeves Sunday as she got creative in her bid to woo more Kuwaitis to holiday in Malaysia. Strolling into several travel agencies unannounced here, the Malaysian tourism minister unleashed her marketing skills as she promoted Malaysia directly to tour operators and their potential customers. "Come to Malaysia, we also have good diving sites such as Sipadan," she coaxed one client at a travel agency who was considering going to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt to indulge in the sport. Explaining her move to the Malaysian media later, Dr Ng said: "I'm very happy because you can see how shocked they were when we went in. Tourism is about reaching out to people."It's not about coming here and talk to a few people and then disappear. Today, I've already sold some packages. "The minister's little walkabout in downtown Kuwait City appears to have had the desired effect. "We appreciate her visit and we hope to do very well this summer for Malaysia. We'll really give all our support to Malaysia," one travel agency boss said when met by Bernama.
Dr Ng told a press conference earlier that Malaysia was eyeing 25,000 arrivals from Kuwait this year over 20,170 achieved in 2009. At every opportunity in the Kuwaiti capital, the minister touted Malaysia's charms as a tourist destination, with a particular stress on the country's natural beauty besides shopping and mouth-watering food. "We have rainforests of some 130 million years old, 1,700 islands and some of the world's best diving spots," she told the assembled members of the media. Tourism Malaysia's efforts to boost visitor arrivals from the Middle East during the fasting month of Ramadan was also a recurring theme. Dr Ng is leading a two-day Tourism Malaysia roadshow in Kuwait after attending the Arabian Travel Market 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Malaysia's tourism push in Kuwait is further boosted by the "Discover One Malaysia" holiday packages offered by tour operator Boodai Aviation Group, and launched by the minister at the press conference. Dr Ng left no stone unturned in her quest to increase tourist numbers and tourism revenue for Malaysia. Also Sunday, she called on Kuwait's Commerce and Industry Minister Ahmad Rashed Al Haroun to signal Malaysia's commitment to the Kuwaiti market. "He said that in Kuwait you need to keep reminding people about your products. The French already came to do a French week, and the Indians are coming to do the Indian week. "So, we have to go back and think of ways to further enhance our presence in this Gulf country," the Malaysian minister said. According to Dr Ng, the Kuwaiti minister welcomed opportunities for his country to invest in Malaysia. Dr Ng also got a taste of Kuwaiti hospitality when she jumped at the opportunity to visit the residence of the owner of one of Kuwait's top tour operators. There, she found out that his daughter had spent her honeymoon in Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, a few years back. "Do come to Malaysia for a second honeymoon. And tell your father to go and buy properties in Malaysia," Dr Ng told her over a lavish spread of cakes and sweets.
And "Malaysia Truly Asia" came to life during a gala dinner organised by Tourism Malaysia at the Sheraton Kuwait hotel Sunday night, where the sights and sounds of Malaysia took centre stage. The invited guests were entertained to a pulsating and colourful cultural performance and video presentation. Midway, Dr Ng took charge, taking pains to explain to the audience what the movements were all about. She later led the way in performing some of the dances herself, to the delight of those present in the hotel ballroom. "The Kuwait roadshow is extremely successful," was the minister's verdict, adding that she had gotten the chance to meet whoever she was supposed to meet. According to her, tour operators here had expressed commitment to send more visitors to Malaysia. "I've also invited some ladies to come over to Malaysia where they can indulge themselves at our spa and wellness facilities, go shopping as well as develop potential business contacts," she said. She hopes to come back with a team of people who can further promote Malaysia's medical tourism, education tourism and property sector. Dr Ng was assisted in Kuwait by Tourism Malaysia's deputy director-general for planning Azizan Noordin, its Dubai office director Tuan Razali Tuan Omar and Malaysian ambassador to Kuwait Datuk Ashaary Sani. The minister flies to Doha, Qatar on Monday for the final leg of the roadshow aimed at further promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination among Gulf travellers.
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