PHUKET: Malaysian travel operators should work closely with their counterparts in Thailand to jointly promote their tourist destinations. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said Malaysia and Thailand should not view themselves as rivals, competiting for a share of the tourism market. “I see opportunities for great collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand. “I hope to see those tourists who visit Phuket also dropping by at Penang and Langkawi. Similarly, those visiting Malaysia can go over to Phuket as well,” she told reporters during an official visit here Friday.
Dr Ng said such cooperation could further boost tourism in both countries, particularly inorthern Malaysia and southern Thailand. “Both the countries have close relations and historical ties, especially with the people in the southern region of Thailand,” she said, adding that for example, the Phuket Thai Peranakan shared a unique bond with many Peranakan in Penang and Malacca. Dr Ng said that accessibility, such as regular direct flights between the two countries, would help to forge better cooperation.
She also said some 1.4 million people from Thailand visited Malaysia last year, the third highest after Singapore and Indonesia. Dr Ng said tourism was an important sector for Malaysia, providing 500,000 jobs and involving 14% of the local workforce. “We hope to strengthen the sector and increase the percentage of Malaysians working in the industry to 25%,” she said.
Earlier, Dr Ng launched an exhibition by Thai photographers, featuring tourist attractions in Malaysia. The minister also presented recognition awards to 26 travel agents and members of the tourism council and business federations from southern Thailand for their contributions to local tourism.
-thestar online.
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