KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is expected to welcome a total of 36 million foreign tourists by 2020 with an estimated revenue of RM168 billion, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
She said the target was achievable with implementation of the 12 strategic initiatives under the National Key Result Areas for tourism such as "Luxury Malaysia" and "Agrotourism."
"Malaysia had 24.6 million tourists from all over the world last year with tourism revenue totalling RM56.4 billion. This showed an income of more than RM1 billion a week. Here, we see tourism as an agent for economic prosperity for the rakyat," she said after winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2012 for the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Dr Ng said Malaysians should emphasise cleanliness to attract tourists. She said since the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP), the ministry received proposals for tourism projects from state governments but only had allocations to implement between 30 and 40 per cent of the projects.
"The ministry must give priority to viable projects, facilities and deliveries in line with the tourism plans of state governments such as the Malacca tourism heritage and Sabah agro tourism."
Dr Ng said through the first "rolling-plan" of the 10th Malaysia Plan, Malacca allocated RM118 million to develop 17 high-impact tourism projects. She said under the 10MP, the government also allocated RM27 million to upgrade tourism infrastructure on such islands as Pulau Pangkor, Pulau Sibu and Pulau Duyong.
-Bernama.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.