Malaysia launches Visit Malaysia Year 2007
Aiming to attract 20 million tourists, Malaysia unveiled its 2007 campaign. With the tagline “Malaysia Welcomes the World,” the country’s New Year celebrations and revelry coincided with the official launch of the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign.
“We are pleased to announce our plans for the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign to promote Malaysia aggressively to the world market,” Malaysian Tourism Minister Leo Toyad said, adding, “We look forward to see greater increase in tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings by 2007 and thereafter as global travel grows by leaps and bounds.
” Tourism Malaysia has just completed its "Make It Malaysia" program to bring in a total of about 150 journalists, tour consultants and corporate agents from the Middle East and North Africa to experience Malaysian culture, food and tourist attractions apart from visits to the country's tourist destinations.
The country's tourism ministry is targeting 200,000 tourists from West Asia, northern Africa and Iran this year. It will be drawing up programs to enable airlines from West Africa and Northern Africa to lease planes for flights to coincide with Visit Malaysia Year 2007," said Deputy Tourism Minister Zahid Hamidi.
“It is so important to tell the world that Malaysia is a travel-friendly and safe country to visit," said Michelle Newman, an American journalist who writes for women’s magazines. “With all the fabulous food, I don't want to go home; I am going to stay in Malaysia. They would have to drag me home.”
It is also bringing in "mega familiarization" groups to join in the major festivities and events. Recent groups from China, India, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates participated in the now familiar Open House, held to celebrate all the major religious festivals throughout the country.
The government has designated 2007 as Visit Malaysia Year to commemorate the country’s 50th year of independence, complete with its logo of national flower the bunga raya, symbolic of Malaysia welcoming the world with open arms and hearts.
Under its newly introduced “Eco-Host Malaysia” program, there are now 3,000 nature guides to conduct and sell ecotourism products in the country. More nature guides are expected to be certified by the ministry.
Tourism Malaysia together with City Hall will also be introducing its own version of "hop on/off" double-decker and sky- roofed busses for tourists to complement the existing public transport available. "The bus service will allow tourists to alight at a certain tourist attraction where they can spend time visiting, before hopping onto another bus for their next destination, "said Kamaruddin Siaraf, director-general of Tourism Malaysia.
“We have plenty to showcase," Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi said. "Historical sites, modern landmarks, bustling cities and pristine villages to offer our visitors. Our warm hospitality, generosity, welcoming faces, clear blue skies, smooth white sandy beaches, and lush verdant jungles also offer an unforgettable eco-experience."
Check out @ : http://www.tourism.gov.my/
