London Double-Decker Buses With Malaysian Themes Plying London Routes

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) - From Friday, five of London's iconic red double-decker buses fully wrapped with Malaysian themes including eco, nature and underwater, will be plying London routes as part of an advertising campaign by Tourism Malaysia to attract British tourists to visit Malaysia. The bus campaign was launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen at a special reception at the Malaysian High Commission in Belgrave Square, London Thursday.

In her speech text emailed to Bernama here Friday, Dr Ng said besides taking over the five buses, Tourism Malaysia was also participating in the Chelsea Flower Show 2011 from May 24 until Saturday. She said the advertising campaign would run for 12 weeks from this week to Aug 15. "The buses will ply routes 414 (Battersea), 19 (Brixton) and 11 (Stockwell) and the hope is to capture the interest of British tourists and other international tourists to visit Malaysia.

"We are excited about the working partnership with Transport for London to promote our fantastic destination on the most recognised public transport system and the world's most iconic city that presents a great opportunity for Tourism Malaysia. "Londoners will be able to see giant exotic jungle and aquatic images of Malaysia as part of a drive to promote the country's hugely diverse nature, fantastic diving and growing ecotourism industry," she added.

On participation in the Chelsea Flower Show 2011, Dr Ng said Malaysia was extremely honoured to have been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal, saying that it was a tribute to the unique mixture of flora and fauna that the country boasted. She also said that 429,965 tourists from the United Kingdom visited Malaysia last year, a decline of 1.2 per cent from 435,091 in 2009. "Despite the decline, I am optimistic that with the economy in UK picking up, tourist arrivals in Malaysia will increase," she said.

-Bernama.