Tourism package to Malaysia and the Philippines in the works, says Yen Yen

KUALA LUMPUR: A holiday tour package of a visit to Malaysia and the Philippines in a single trip will be offered soon. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said it was still discussing details of the collaboration with Filipino tour operators and government representatives. “The package will allow tourists to Malaysia to also visit one place in the Philippines. Likewise, visitors to the Philippines can also spend a few days in Malaysia.

“It will be similar to the Unesco 1,2,3 World Heritage Sites Travel Package introduced in 2010, which brings tourists to three Unesco world heritage sites under one package – Malacca, Penang and Borobudur, Yogjakarta. “Packages like these enable visitors from other countries to experience the various cultures of this region in one trip,” she said.

Dr Ng said this when announcing the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Annual Conference 2012, which will be held here on April 21-22, and launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Themed “Building the Business Beyond Profits”, it will be the fourth time that Malaysia will host the event, which is expected to be attended by 600 participants from 38 countries. “This year’s conference will discuss topics focusing on “Tourism with a social agenda”, such as the role of youth in tourism, tourism within the context of the Asean community and rural tourism.

“This is very much in line with my ministry’s philosophy and direction for this year — that the role of the tourism industry in the country is not just for economic gain but serves to protect, preserve and conserve our natural and cultural heritage,” she said. She added that tourism should also serve to bridge the divide between economic groups, adding that her ministry hoped to achieve this by promoting rural tourism.

Improving the homestay system and offering local art and craft workshops for tourists were some of the ways of developing rural areas as tourist destinations, which would in turn benefit the rural community, she said. “We are also pushing for green and sustainable tourism in which we encourage hotels and resorts to reduce their carbon footprint, recycle and promote sightseeing by cycling instead of driving,” she said.
-thestar online.