Malaysia Eyes Increased Business Tourism

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is eyeing at taking the business tourism arrivals from five per cent to eight per cent of the overall tourist arrivals by 2020.

Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen noted that Malaysia welcomed 25 million foreign visitors last year, generating over RM60 billion in tourism receipts.

"However, business only contributed five per cent of tourism, and we wish to gain more business tourists, up to eight per cent by 2020," she said in her opening speech at Glasstech Asia 2013 here Monday. "We must focus on gaining this (business tourism) because they (business tourists) spend more than leisure tourists which, in turn, may contribute more to economic growth," she said.

Among those present were Malaysia Glass Association (MGA) president Ho Sai Woo, Singapore Glass Association (SGA) chairman Gan Chee Siong, and Conference and Exhibition Management Services Pte Ltd (CEMS) group managing director Edward Liu.

Meanwhile, Dr Ng recognised Glasstech Asia's significant contribution towards the local meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry, as well as the tourism sector and the country's economy as a whole.

"While food, services and hospitality industries clearly benefit from a thriving MICE sector, other auxiliary contractors and service providers such as transport operators, freight forwarders and retail establishments also benefit immensely," she said.

She noted that MICE and business tourism had an uplifting effect on the country's image internationally while enhancing knowledge transfer and boosting international trade. Hosted by MGA and co-organised by SGA and CEMS, Glasstech Asia 2013 runs until Nov 27 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

It has dedicated pavilions mounted by China, Italy, Malaysia, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Featuring 184 exhibitors from 20 countries, the organisers expect about 4,500 trade professionals at the show.
-bernama.