Tourist Arrivals From India, West Asia Expected To Rise

DUBAI, May 3 (Bernama) - The Ministry of Tourism expects tourist arrivals from India to increase from 689,000 last year to 700,000 this year while that of West Asian countries from 228,668 to 235,000, said its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. She said the ministry also expected tourist arrivals from South Africa, which at present stood at about 20,000 yearly, to rise. The ministry has set a target of tourist arrivals to increase from 24.6 million last year to 25 million this year, she told Bernama after chairing a meeting of directors of tourism from Malaysia, India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Iran and Saudi Arabia here Tuesday.

Dr Ng is leading a Malaysian delegation to the three-day Arabian Travel Market 2011 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition, starting today. Eighty-seven private and public agencies from Malaysia are taking part in the exhibition.

On the Indian and West Asian markets, Dr Ng said Tourism Malaysia would collaborate with tourism authorities in the countries and create products that would suit the preferences of the tourists. She said Tourism Malaysia would collaborate with Indian tourism agencies to promote wedding packages, which have captivated Indian tourists, who liked Malaysian scenic natural beauty and multiracial harmony. "We already have a rich couple planning to hold a fabulous wedding in Malaysia in November. They are expected to spend more than USD1.5 million (RM4.45 million) for the wedding, including flying their guests into Malaysia," she said.

On Dubai tourists, Dr Ng said they were interested in Malaysian cultures and diverse products, especially those arrayed at the Petaling Street and night markets. She said tourism promotions would also be intensified in Saudi Arabia, including in cities like Dammam, Al-Khobar and Dhahran for the Saudis would love to come to Malaysia following turmoil in Egypt and Syria.

Dr Ng said Tourism Malaysia also urged tour and travel agencies from Iran to set up offices in Kuala Lumpur for there had been cases of tourists from the country being cheated by Iranians tourist guides in Malaysia.

-Bernama.