Dato' Paduka Abdul Kadir Haji Sheikh Fadzir, the Honourable
Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism Malaysia has embarked on a
visit to the Middle East countries, namely; Turkey, Jordan, Syria and
Lebanon in an attempt to woo Arab tourists and create awareness
among the Arab market that Malaysia is a valueaddedtravel
destination for the Summer Holidays that falls between July and
September.

During the "Middle East Roadshow", the Honourable Minister will also
attend regional meetings with local travel agents, airline operators,
Tourism Malaysia officials and embassy officials to deliver the
message that it is business as usual in Malaysia and that Malaysia
was never categorized by World Health Organization (WHO) as a
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) affected country.

"Airline operators from the Middle East will put their flights
back to normal, beginning 15 June," Dato' Paduka Abdul Kadir
Haji Sheikh Fadzir announced.

Gulf Air and Qatar Airways are among the airlines expected to
increase their flight frequency. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian Airlines
will introduce 124 flights between Kuala Lumpur and the Arabian
Peninsula during the 3month period beginning mid - June.

Dato' Paduka Abdul Kadir Haji Sheikh Kadir began his Middle East
Roadshow Campaign on May 28 and will conclude by 9 th June 2003.
Among the countries lined up in the honourable Minister's visit are;
Turkey (Istanbul30 May, Izmir 31 st May & Ankara - 1 & 2 June),
Jordan (Amman 3 & 4 June), Syria (Damascus 5, 6 & 7 June) and
Beirut (8 & 9 June). The Minister will return to Kuala Lumpur from
Beirut on10 th June.

Issued by: Communications Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: June 2, 2003
For further information, please contact
Ritz at (603) 2693 5188 or email: ritz@tourism.gov.my