The Minister of Tourism, Malaysia, the Honourable Datuk Dr. Leo
Michael Toyad, is leading a sales mission to Japan and South Korea from 11 to
20 May, 2005. The delegation will be in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Busan,
Taegu and Seoul to aggressively promote Malaysia as a tourist destination.

The objective of the sales mission is threefold:

1. To renew Malaysia's commitment and support for the Japanese and South
    Korean travel industry in their efforts to promote Malaysia;
2. To keep the Japanese and South Korean counterparts abreast of recent
    tourism developments in Malaysia; and
3. To establish a wider network of contacts in the Japanese and South Korean
    tourism industry.

The delegation consists of officers from the Ministry of Tourism, Tourism
Malaysia and state tourism boards, travel agents, hotel operators, and
representatives from the Malaysian travel industry. Accompanying them are eight
models and a fashion designer, Kartini Illias.

Among the activities organised during the sales mission are seminars on tourism
development in Malaysia; travel marts and press conferences with the Minister.
The Hon. Minister will make courtesy visits to the Ministers of Land,
Infrastructure and Transportation of Japan on 10 May 2005. The Hon. Minister
will also make sales calls to the local travel trade players; and dinner receptions
with cultural and fashion presentations.

Two special events coinciding with the Minister's visit to Japan and South Korea
are the World Expo 2005, Aichi in Nagoya (26 March - 25 September) and the
Malaysian Food Fest in Seoul (28 April - 7 May). At the World Expo 2005, Aichi,
the Minister will visit the Malaysian Pavillion run by the Ministry of Tourism,
Malaysia, and Tourism Malaysia. The Malaysian Food Fest is celebrated at La
Seine Buffet Restaurant in Hotel Lotte Seoul.

Issued by Communications Division, Tourism Malaysia
Date: 10 May, 2005
For more information, call (6) (03) 2615 8188 or email: anisramli@tourism.gov.my