Emirates Airlines Prepared To Help Bring South American Tourists To Malaysia

DUBAI, May 3 (Bernama) -- Emirates Airlines, the national carrier of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is prepared to cooperate in bringing tourists from South American countries to Malaysia. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the airline was also now plying the Dubai-Sao Paulo (in Brazil) route. The offer of cooperation from one of the world's biggest airlines came from its chairman Sheikh Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum when Dr Ng called on him at the Emirates Airlines' pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2011, here.

Dr Ng is here, leading a Malaysian delegation at the tourism exposition held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 2 to 5. She told Bernama that Emirates Airlines' willingness to cooperate with Malaysia would provide a good opportunity for tourists from South America to visit Malaysia. "They (Emirates Airlines) have been flying to many of the world's major cities and have started operating flights to South America, hence we see Brazil as a good potential for tourism in Malaysia. "She said as for Malaysia, only Malaysia Airlines operated the Kuala Lumpur-Cape Town (in South Africa)-Buenos Aires (Argentina) route twice a week.

"So, I have been discussing with him (Sheikh Ahmed Saeed) about cooperating with Emirates Airlines through promotions to encourage South American tourists to visit Malaysia before going to other destinations. "Dr Ng said Emirates Airlines had an extensive route network including flights to Geneva, Zurich, Milan and Stockholm, hence it could help bring tourists from such major cities to Malaysia. She said Malaysia, meanwhile, had many interesting tourism products such as its beautiful natural environment and exciting shopping experience, including at the night markets and Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown.

"Dubai is also an interesting shopping destination, but tourists also love the natural environment, so they can come to Malaysia for pristine forests, and beautiful lakes and islands," she added. Dr Ng said Tourism Malaysia would discuss the matter further with Emirates Airlines. She said Emirates Holidays, a subsidiary company of the airlines, was also willing to look into holiday packages that would include Malaysia.
-Bernama.