A total of 150 journalists, tour consultants and corporate agents from Middle
East and North Africa are in Malaysia to experience the culture, food and tourist
attractions in Malaysia from 18 until 23 December, 2005.

They are here under Tourism Malaysia's invitation for the "Make It Malaysia"
(MIM) programme to promote Malaysia as a topofmind
destination for vacations.
The participants are from Algeria, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Qatar, Tunisia, Libya,
Kuwait, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iran, Oman and
Bahrain.

The programme entails tours to various parts of Malaysia, i.e. Langkawi,
Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Pahang and Johor. There
are also seminars to introduce the group to the Malaysia My Second Home and
Wellness Tourism programmes, the Formula 1 and FEI World Cup Final Jumping
events, as well as other tourism products of interest to the Middle East market.

A travel mart is also scheduled for the group to network, discuss potential
partnerships and develop travel packages with 53 local sellers comprising hotel
representatives, travel agents, tourism product operators and state governments.

The MIM programme is a unique platform for the foreign travel industry
frontliners to get to know Malaysia better. It is expected to generate closer industry
relationships between the travel trade partners. Media attendees and frontliners from
Middle East and North Africa will get firsthand
experience about Malaysia's tourism
products and updated information on holiday destinations to enable them to market
Malaysia more convincingly.

Issued by: Communications Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: 23 December 2005
For more information, please contact Anis Ramli at 0326158188 or
Email anisramli@tourism.gov.my