From Russia with cash

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia wants the Russians to escape the harsh winter there by having fun in the sun here. The Tourism Ministry is targeting Russia and other countries with big spenders to reel in the tourism dollars.

Malaysia will be aggressively promoted in such countries as a destination for high-end products. Other countries on the target list include China, India and the Middle East. “This may result in a smaller number of tourist arrivals but the money the big spenders splash here may be much higher than what we have seen in recent years,” said minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen after launching the Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia Travelogue here yesterday.

Dr Ng said a Russian tourist spent RM9,000 when travelling overseas while visitors from the other countries spent about RM7,000. She was also determined to ensure that the tourism industry remained among the country's top income earners despite the ministry not getting additional allocation in Budget 2012. It had hoped for more advertising and promotions funds.

From 2000 to 2010, the RM200mil allocation has remained while tourist arrivals have grown from 10 million to 24 million. “Now we have to tighten our belt and that is why we have to re-look at our activities,” she said.

On the travelogue, a joint effort between the ministry, Tourism Malaysia and 8TV, Dr Ng said it was done to attract the local Chinese community. “A study showed that only 20% of them travel locally,” she said. The 13-episode Mandarin travelogue is hosted by Henley Hii and Natalie Ng and will be aired beginning this Sunday at 7.30pm over 8TV.

-thestar online.