‘KL-Manila air link a boost’

In full bloom: Ng admiring some of the floral exhibits at Putrajaya Floria 2012.

KUALA LUMPUR: New air routes serving the Philippines and Malaysia are expected to boost bilateral tourism, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said she and her counterpart Philippine Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr agreed that regional neighbours should work together for mutual benefit. Dr Ng added that Malaysia’s biggest challenge was connectivity and the ministry would work out ways to enhance this to bring tourists from the Philippines and promote that country among Malaysians. “We are not competitors, we are a synergy,” she said at a press conference at the Philippine Embassy here yesterday where she attended a performance by the world-renowned Madrigal Singers.

Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya said two airlines had started to serve Malaysian routes since Dr Ng’s visit to the country in March – AirAsia Philippines and Airphil Express. The award-winning Madrigal Singers will be performing at the Trinity Methodist Church tomorrow and on Friday.

Earlier, Dr Ng said the country’s biggest challenge in the tourism industry was connecting to a global audience to highlight what Malaysia has and can offer. She said the ministry and industry players were engaging the social media and various other conduits in the cyber world to overcome this challenge.

Dr Ng cited the example of the ongoing Tourism Floral Parade and Putrajaya Floria 2012. “This is a world-class event, but how many people know about it?” she asked after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Qatar Holding LLC and Jerantas Sdn Bhd. “If we can solve this, we are well on our way to telling the world that we have world-class tourism attractions to offer.”

The MoU is aimed at studying the potential development of a Harrods Hotel in Bukit Bintang. Dr Ng said a Harrods Hotel in Malaysia would attract tourists who were loyal to the hotel chain.

-thestar online.