Melaka On Drive To Attract More Thai Tourists

HATYAI, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government will hold more tourism promotion to southern Thailand to attract more Thai tourists to the state. State Exco for Tourism, Culture and Haritage Datuk Seet Har Cheow said this was necessary as the number of Thai visitors to Melaka last year stood at only 16,215. "We hope to attract more than 20,000 Thai tourists to Melaka this year," he told Bernama at a "Jom Ke Melaka 2010" tourism promotion programme on Wednesday.

Seet said tourism sub-sectors being promoted to the Thais include education, health and recreation. "Melaka will offer attractive packages to draw Thai students to study Malay, English and Mandarin. Recognition of Melaka as a world heritage city has raised interest among Thais." He said the opening of Melaka International Airport at Batu Berendam in February made travel from Hatyai to Melaka a mere one hour 45 minutes.