MALAYSIA TO WOO WEST ASIAN VISITORS AT ATM 2008
Malaysia's participation at the Arabian Travel Mart (ATM) 2008 is set to attract more tourists from West Asia to visit Malaysia.
The West Asian market is a growing market and as such, more West Asian visitors are expected to visit Malaysia, especially during the Arabian summer month holiday period. Some 135 participants from 86 organisations are in Dubai to sell packages and woo tourists from the region to visit Malaysia.
"There are a number of exciting events lined-up for visitors to experience. For example events like Colours of Malaysia, the Mega Sale, the Rainforest World Music Festival are some f the events not to be missed. Malaysia is also currently emphasizing on ecotourism and the many ecotourism products in Sabah , Sarawak, and in Peninsular Malaysia are good value-for-money attractions for the Middle East tourists," said Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, director-general, Tourism Malaysia during a media conference at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai held in conjunction with the ATM 2008.
Other than providing delegates the prospect to meet up with Malaysian business organizations for potential business opportunities, the Tourism Malaysia booth (AS 740) at the Dubai World Trade Centre will also give visitors an insight to the many exciting packages and calendar of events plus a cross section of the Malaysian cultural heritage, exotic destinations and other products and services.
Last year, Malaysia registered 245,302 visitors from West Asia with a 31.3 per cent growth compared to the same period the previous year (2006).
For the 1st Quarter 2008, Malaysia received 5,276 visitors from the U.A.E. This is an increase of 11.1% compared to the same period in the previous year.
| U.A.E. ARRIVALS | JAN - MAR 2007 | JAN- MAR 2008 | CHANGE % |
| Tourists | 4,749 | 5,276 | 1 |
Source: Immigration Department of Malaysia
ACCESSIBILITY
One of the factors attributing to the double digit growth from the U.A.E. is the accessibility between U.A.E. and Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Airlines now operates seven daily flights between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur (two, via Karachi).
Meanwhile, Oman Air is expected to fly 5 times a week, beginning July (during the Arabian summer holiday months holiday season). In addition, Air Arabia, being the largest low cost carrier in the region will also join in promoting Malaysia with daily services from Sharjah, U.A.E. and Kuala Lumpur. The carrier, complemented by Air Yeti will also operate services between Katmandu and Kuala Lumpur.
