No Cancellation Of Tour Packages From Tourists - Tourism Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia has not received information on any immediate cancellation of tour packages from tourists in Europe, including from Russia, Scandinavian and Benelux countries.

However, Tourism Malaysia will monitor the market reaction closely as some tourists from the mentioned areas travel to Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand on Malaysia Airlines (MAS) which also code share with Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM).

"This is the peak period as many tourists from these markets are currently on a long summer break and normally they will use MAS to fly not only to Kuala Lumpur but also to other tourist destinations in the Asean region," Tourism Malaysia said in a statement.

In the first four months of this year, Malaysia received 31,945 tourists from the Netherlands, an increase of 13.5 per cent over the figure in the same period of 2013.

The same period also saw an increase of tourist arrivals from Eastern Europe with 55,771 (25.1 per cent), Northern Europe 227,545 (8.9 per cent), Southern Europe 46,043 (29.9 per cent) and Western Europe 179,574 (15.9 per cent) as a result of the promotional efforts in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

Last year, Malaysia received a total of 427,995 tourists from Western Europe with 83,955 tourists from the Netherlands, 107,541 from Eastern Europe, 548,729 (Northern Europe) and 109,447 (Southern Europe).

Meanwhile, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz and Tourism Malaysia expressed their deepest condolences to the families and next of kin of the 298 passengers and crew members of MH17.

"Our sympathies, sincere thoughts, prayers and condolences go to each and everyone affected by this tragedy," he said.
-bernama.