Tourism Malaysia ups the ante again to attract cyclists

Malaysia is paving the way for more cycling enthusiasts with 74 more cycling tourism packages, featuring destinations including Kuching and Taman Negara.

The packages were rolled out last month in collaboration with 32 local tour agencies.

Mainly targeting cycling enthusiasts from Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, this niche product together with Tourism Malaysia’s publication, Discover Malaysia by Bicycle Guidebook, will be promoted during the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum which kicks off January 22, 2015.

Tourism Malaysia has been actively promoting cycling tourism packages since 2011 and a total of 3,547 cycling packages worth RM657,452 (US$187,953) have been sold from January to August 2014. In 2013, 5,290 cycling packages valued at RM844,720 were sold.

Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director-general (promotion), Azizan Noordin, said: “Through these packages, domestic and international tourists will be able to explore more destinations in Malaysia through cycling. Some of the most interesting packages include the 3D2N classic Kuching city ride, the 4D3N Taman Negara cycling package, and the 3D2N Kota Bharu cycling tour.”

Musa Yusof, director, domestic marketing division at Tourism Malaysia, said the NTO is also in discussions with local and foreign airlines flying into Malaysia to waive fees for bicycles taken onboard a flight, as what Garuda Indonesia is practising.

-TTG Asia.