Malaysia, targets an arrival of 1.5 million visitors from next year, up 50% compared to 1 million this year, said ’s Tourism Minister YB Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor last week promoting the Visit Malaysia 2007 program in
Jakarta , reported Media Indonesia on Line.
During January-August 2006, Indonesian tourists to increased 25.1% compared to the same period in 2005. Tourism Malaysia Research Department counted 642,300 Indonesians to in 2005, which this year increased to 803,700, making the third largest tourist source market to that country after Singapore and Thailand.
The fact that Indonesians must fly to reach is the main drawback to increased visitors compared to those from the other two ASEAN countries.
There are currently 222 flights weekly to Malaysian cities from various cities in Indonesia. To add to tourist arrivals, Malaysia has opened the Batam-Johore and Dumai-Malaka sea routes.
Main attractions offered in are family recreation, shopping and health facilities. In 2007 will spend US$ 80 million to promote Visit Malaysia 2007 program, celebrating the country’s 50 years of
Independence .
Malaysia is Asia's No. 2 tourist spot after Turkey, said Minister Mansor, with around 16 million visitors coming to the country this year. Around 80 percent of these come from Asia, with tourists from constituting the largest number, followed by and , reports Abdul Khalik for the Jakarta Post
"
Asia is our most important market. That's why we will focus our attention on the region," Tengku Adnan said.
The sector contributes $16 billion in revenue to the country, the second-largest contributor after the manufacturing sector, the minister said.
Malaysia targets a total of 21 million tourist arrivals in 2007, said Hilda Sabri writing for Bisnis Indonesia.
In the meeting with Indonesian Minister for Culture and Tourism Jero Wecik earlier in the morning and agreed to step up joint promotions, which still needs to be followed through by the private sector, in particular for tour operators from both countries to jointly offer Malaysia-Indonesia packages.
|