Tourism Malaysia Leads Delegation To Promote VMY 2014 In Russia

PUTRAJAYA, 13 Sept 2013: Tourism Malaysia is leading a delegation to raise awareness of the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 in Russia at the 19th International Trade Fair for Tourism Otdykh LEISURE 2013, also known as Leisure Fair. The prestigious event will take place at Crocus Expo in Moscow, beginning 17 Sept.

The 4-day event, deemed the largest international autumn trade fair for tourism in Russia and the CIS, offers Malaysia a strong platform to market and create awareness of VMY to the travel trade fraternity and media there.

Leading the Malaysian delegation to the Fair is the Deputy Director General (Marketing) of Tourism Malaysia Madam Chong Yoke Har, who will be joined by key players of the Malaysian tourism industry from 17 organisations, comprising tour operators, representatives from hotels and resorts, as well as state tourism bodies and local authorities.

“To capitalise on Russian outbound travel and to tap into the massive potential that this market presents, a more focused and concerted effort is necessary. Hence, our participation in Leisure Fair is one of our efforts to create higher consumer and trade awareness on the diverse attractions in Malaysia, particularly during Visit Malaysia Year 2014,” explained Madam Chong.

The Malaysia booth is scheduled to be launched by the Malaysian Ambassador to the Russian Federation H.E. Dato’ Zainol Abidin Omar on 17 Sept.    

In the evening, Tourism Malaysia will host a special dinner at Musorgsky Hall, Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel, Russia. The ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Evening’ is organised to raise awareness of the grand celebration next year and to thank the Russian travel trade players and media in particular, for their continued support in promoting Malaysia to Russian travellers.    

After Moscow, Tourism Malaysia and several members of the Malaysian delegation will continue their promotional efforts in Ekaterinburg, the fourth largest city in Russia, from 19 – 21 Sept. 

Similarly, a ‘Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Evening’ will be organised there, besides a travel mart, which will create a platform for Malaysian delegates to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business with the local tourism trade players.     

Russia is an important source market for inbound tourists to Malaysia. Last year, Malaysia received 44,765 Russian tourists, signifying a 15% increase from the previous year. Arrivals from this market continued to grow this year. A total of 29,086 Russian tourists visited Malaysia in the first six months, which was a hike of 20.2% compared to the same period last year.
-Tourism Malaysia.