Need To Increase Awareness In Italian Market - Minister

MILAN, May 29 (Bernama) -- There is a need for synergistic cooperation and collaboration among travel operators in creating awareness on Malaysia, to various groups in the Italian market, Tourism Minister Dato Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said Friday. Speaking during a luncheon meeting with Italian tour operators at the Principe di Savaoia Hotel here Friday, she noted there was a lot of work to do in the Italian market to promote Malaysian eco-tourism, lifestyle and family enrichment programmes, among others. Dr Ng, who is on a four-day visit here, said her ministry was looking at ways to increase awareness in the Italian market to lure more visitors to Malaysia. "I would like to bring our cultural group to perform in your towns and participate in your festivals," she told the tour operators, while outlining Malaysia's unique and rich culture that would interest Italian visitors.

The minister conceded that as in Munich, there was a need for a direct flight from Milan to Malaysia. "MAS (Malaysia Airlines) needs to look at Milan. If MAS cannot, then we will look at Air Asia which is already offering direct flights to London and many other places," she said, adding that Tourism Malaysia would work with airlines which bring in tourists into Malaysia. On the political turmoil in Thailand, Dr Ng reiterated Malaysia's stand that because Thailand was an Asean country, it was important that member countries helped each other. "We do not wish to take advantage of the situation as a drop in tourist arrivals there will also affect everyone else," she said, conceding however, that there were travellers who re-routed their destinations to Malaysia. "We have had a big swing from China and India but long-haul visitors, especially from the UK market, are more cautious," she said. The week-long working visit which had also taken the minister to London and Munich, saw much interest amongst travel operators on developments in Thailand. Meanwhile, tour operator Manuel E. Cazzaniga, of Seiviaggi Tour Operator, said there was "a good interest in the Italian market and the potential is big". "I think the country could be promoted as a whole, not only nice beaches and resorts but also the culture, the ethnic mosaic that you have and the quality of life and the friendliness of the people, as well as the possibilty of investing in the country. "This is what people here are missing in their knowledge about Malaysia," he noted. For Professor Franco Brevini, language had not been a problem during his four visits to the country where he enjoyed expeditions in Sarawak, scaling Mount Kinabalu and exploring the geological structures and islands, which he described as a tropical paradise. "Malaysia is a destination where you can walk, climb and dive to discover nature," he said, adding that he had introduced Malaysia to Italians who loved outdoor activities.