MADRID, 23 JANUARY 2019 – Malaysia continues its efforts to attract more Spanish tourists and improve yield for leisure and MICE travellers to Malaysia with Tourism Malaysia’s 17th year of participation in FITUR International Tourism Fair from today to 27 January 2019. YB Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture is leading a Malaysia delegation with participation from three main Spanish partners selling packages to Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Sabah, Sarawak and the highlands. Joining them are two Malaysian agents selling East Coast of Malaysia tours. Packages promoted will involve an average of 8 nights’ tour.
Malaysia’s presence at FITUR indicates its interest to increase the number of Spanish tourists to Malaysia significantly, through promoting a greater awareness of Malaysia as a top-of-mind holiday destination, as well as fostering greater cooperation between tour operators and members of the tourism fraternity.
YB Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi says, “Malaysia is an experiential destination which offers satisfying experiences and unique discoveries for all guests.”
Spanish arrivals to Malaysia has shown an increase of 23.7% with 33,915 tourists entering Malaysia for the period of January to September 2018. Contributing to the significant increase were efforts by travel agents, distributors and airlines offering travelers with tactical promotions through travel packages and competitive airfares. Digital and social media also played an important role in influencing travelers’ decisions to Malaysia as did quality media coverage by travel and lifestyle media on Malaysia’s various offerings for visiting travelers. A series of joint travel workshops and seminars with travel retailers and airlines have also contributed to the positive growth of Spanish travelers to Malaysia.
Spanish travelers are attracted to Malaysia’s lush tropical rainforest, to experience adventure and culture, with eco-tourism travel and gastronomy topping the list. Popular destinations for the Spanish are Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang, Terengganu, Sabah, Sarawak, Langkawi and Pahang.
At FITUR, Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi will attend some high level meetings at UNWTO headquarters in Madrid. From 26 to 28 August, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and UNWTO will jointly organize the 5th Edition of World Tourism Conference, which will take place in Malaysia.
He will also have meetings with major tour operators such as TUI Spain and airlines namely Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways to explore areas of collaboration in increasing connectivity and arrivals.
Backgrounder:
This year is the 39th year of FITUR since it was first organised in 1981, and it is regarded as one of the largest travel trade exhibitions in Spain, attracting hundreds of trade visitors and consumers from all over the world. The five-day programme, held at the IFEMA, Madrid will be an opportunity for buyers and sellers to network with each other and develop new tourism products and packages.
-Tourism Malaysia.
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