Bid for 36m tourists by 2020.

Date: 19 November, 2012

Bid for 36m tourists by 2020.

LONDON:  TOURISM Malaysia will embark on a major campaign next year to promote Visit Malaysia Year, as part of efforts to woo 36 million tourists to Malaysia by 2020. The targeted number of tourists is expected to generate a total income of RM168 billion, according to Tourism Malaysia's director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab Beg.

"This is our prelude which we will celebrate in a big way in 2014 to achieve the target of 36 million tourists by 2020. Next year is the campaign year and we go all out all year round to promote our products," said Mirza at the four-day World Travel Market here, which saw the participation of tour agencies from various states, such as Perak and Terengganu. The World Travel Market is the fifth largest annual tourism event in the world and still the best place to be to promote tourism products.

Mirza said the state tourism boards were advised to work with Tourism Malaysia and not duplicate the campaigns. He said the enthusiasm was high among the tourism agencies as seen from their participation at WTM. "Although the cost of travel and accommodation is high, tourism agencies are willing to participate as they are confident of returns."

Launched at the event was Tourism Malaysia's new online training "Master Malaysia" which features an orang utan, Ron, giving tips along the way. Developed by Travel Uni, the programme is specially designed for travel agents to learn how to sell Malaysia as a destination.

Actively promoting their newly branded tourism package was Langkawi with its theme, "Naturally Langkawi". According to the chief executive officer of Langkawi Development Authority Tan Sri Khalid Ramli, the target was to get three million tourists a year and make the island one of the best 10 islands in the world. He said this would involve an investment of about RM5 billion to build more hotels and improved the infrastructure on the island, while at the same time ensuring that the nature and beauty of the island was not affected.

"We do not want to spoil the nature setting as this is our strength. Langkawi has an eco-paradise that we want to open up to the world. We need to upgrade our living museum. But whatever we do must be in tandem with eco-tourism."

By ZAHARAH OTHMAN | news@nst.com.my

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