KUCHING: Efforts to boost the tourism sector of Malaysia is focused on achieving the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan 2020.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said yesterday Malaysia is targetting 36 million tourist arrivals with RM168 billion in tourist receipts by 2020.
“The figure is translated into a 50 per cent growth in tourist arrivals from last year,” he said at a media briefing for Asean member states participating in the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) 2014 held at BCCK here yesterday.
On major tourist generating markets, Singapore remains the main source followed by Indonesia and China according to last year’s statistics, Mirza disclosed.
“We want to draw your attention to China, which is coming in very strong and could surpass Indonesia in no time,” he said, noting that visitors for the long-haul have been growing.
Mirza pointed out that last year Malaysia recorded 18.76 tourist arrivals from January to September, bringing in
RM46.43 billion in tourist receipts.
“The figure shows a 3.3 per cent increase in tourist arrivals and a 9.6 per cent increase in tourist receipts compared to the same period in 2012,” he said.
Mirza said Malaysia aims to offer a bigger option for visitors to spend more time here.
“We want tourists to stay longer by exploring Malaysia to experience what this country has to offer rather than just a city stay or trip confined to a specific destination,” he said.
Based on average visitor stay statistics for Malaysia, the country still fell short compared to neighbouring countries, particularly Thailand and Indonesia.
Promoting Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 themed Celebrating ‘1Malaysia, Truly Asia’, Mirza highlighted the five major tourism features including affordable luxury, nature adventure, family fun, events, entertainment, spas, resorts and business tourism (MICE).
VMY 2014, added Mirza, is targeting 28 million tourist arrivals and RM76 million in tourist receipts.
“The selling point and focus is Malaysia’s uniqueness – diversity in culture. Our cultures, traditions and heritage with many ethnic groups living in harmony truly reflect the real Asia. It is what differentiates us from other markets, especially our neighbours,” he pointed out.
And with intensifying promotion and marketing, Malaysia could receive more tourists.
Among the tourism highlights are the opening of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 2 in May this year, catering to 45 million passengers a year as well as the arrival of two giant pandas Feng Yi and Fu Wa from China early this year, as a gift to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia.
“Your support remains important for us to expand the tourism sector as well as the Asean market. So let’s work together to achieve greater heights for the tourism industry,” he added.