TravelMag - le Forum des journalistes du tourisme ! - MALAYSIA. Tourism vital for economic development

bambi a écrit : "MALAYSIA: TOURISM TO BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PILLARS IN THE OVERALL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY, says Malaysian Ambassador Rajmah Hussain

Dr Rajmah Hussain, ambassador of Malaysia to the United Nations in Geneva, stated her country's aims in the development of tourism during the coming years at the opening of the Malaysian Trade Night held on the occasion of the yearly European incentive travel industry trade fair (EIBTM) held during three days in Geneva in May 2002., Ambassador Rajmah Hussain said that while the tourism industry had become an important source of revenue for many countries, the Malaysian Government has also recognized the tourism contribution and is determined to make tourism as one of the most important pillars in the overall economic development of the country. The tourism sector continued to be a major foreign exchange earner for Malaysia, ranking third in 1997 to second position for the year 2000 and 2001 after manufacturing.

She said that the tourism industry had performed extremely well and had generated substantive foreign exchange and employment opportunities. In 2001, tourist arrivals reached a record high of 12.77 million, surpassing the previous mark of 10.2 million set in 2000. This influx of visitors has enabled Malaysia to earn RM24.2 billion (USD 6.3 billion) in tourism receipts as compared to RM17.3 billion (USD 4,55 billion) registered in 2000. Visitors from Europe too have increased by 19.9% from 581,599 in 2000 to 697,332 in the year 2001.

Malaysia is often perceived and regarded as the melting pot of the whole of Asia where visitors can witness the harmonious blend of Asia's three oldest civilizations, the Malays with their Arabic influence as well as the Chinese and Indian civilizations. The festivities that emanate from these exotic cultures have been made more interesting by the assimilation of other cultures into the fabric of our society - the indigenous cultures of Sabah and Sarawak, the influence of the British. the Portuguese, the Dutch as well as the Thais in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. All these crosscultural influences make Malaysia truly unique and colourful.. A heritage has evolved that reflects the soul and essence of Asia in one country.

Malaysia is gaining popularity not only as a leisure destination but also as choice destination for Meetings, Incentive, Conventions and Exhibition (MICE) market in the region, The Industry experiences positive growth with many major international conventions being held in Malaysia, such as:

1.-The Union of Forestry Research Organization Congress (lUFRO)
in 2000
2.- The 50th PATA Annual Conference in 2001
3.- The 89 FDI World Dental Congress in 2001
4.- The World Orchid Conference in April 2002

Based on these proven track records, said Ambassador Rajmah Hussain, Malaysia is set to play host to several other major international conferences and exhibition this year:

* 13th Association of National Olympic Committee General Assembly in May 2002
* 53rd International World Peal Estate Congress in May 2002
* 6th Asian Congress of Urology in August 2002
* 7th World Leisure Congress And Exhibiton In October 2002

In addition Malaysia also embarked on a number of friendly and specialized campaign through the hosting of selected major world-class events, namely the F1-World Powerboat Championship in February last year and the Formula 1-Malaysian Grand Prix in March each year. In addition, the calendar of events for the year 2002 offers hundreds of interesting and year-round attractions to visitors to the country.

"The Malayslan Government has identified tourism as a priority sector that will continue to contribute to the overall Economic Recovery Plan. Accordingly, our strategic plans for the coming years have been refocused due to the aftermaths of the New York tragic event of 9.11.2001 and to continue repositioning Malaysia as top-of-mind destination In selected and nonaffected international and regional markets through an active Brand Imaging campaign on the theme "Malaysia Truly Asia", said Ambassador Rajmah Hussain, explaining:

"We have prepared a year-round programme of events to suit the taste and preference of each and every visitor to our country. Among the events lined up are:

1.- The three large-scale Mega Sale Shopping carnivals (in March, August and December) for shopping buffs.

2.-The Colours of Malaysia or CITRAWARNA festival - a month-long celebration featuring a host of cultural activities (May 26 - June 23)

3.-The Malaysia Celebrations 'Open House.' in conjunction with the following festivals:

* Chinese New Year (February16) In Ipoh, Perak
* Tadau Kaamaton (May 31) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
* Gawai Dayak (June 8) in Kuching, Sarawak
* Deepavall (November 4) in Seremban, Negeri Sernbilan
* Aidil Fitri Celebration (December 14) in Alor Setar. Kedah
* Christmas (December 28), Melaka."

During the Malaysia celebrations, the Malaysian Government will host an "Open House" in one of the cities and invite all Malaysian and foreign visitors to the country to sample the variety of festive dishes jointly prepared by the participating hotels and food beverage outlets. All these events are organized to enable visitors to experience the warm traditional welcome and hospitality of Malaysia.

Visitors to Malaysia can experience and witness a modern and efficient transportation system, linking the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, to the rest of the country through highways, roads and rail. Within Kuala Lumpur, comfortable coaches, limousines and a large fleet of taxis and buses complement the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system to provide fast and efficient transportation in and around the city. The new Express Rail Link (ERL) offers local and foreign travellers with a modern rail system linking the KL international Airport and Kuala Lumpur Sentral, in the city, within 28 minutes.

To complement the all year round of fun-filled events, the country is offering some of the finest hotels and resorts of international standards and five-star comfort at affordable prices. Currently, there are over 1,800 hotels of different classes throughout the country with a total of 128,000 rooms. Some 14 more hotels with 300 or more rooms are being built in Kuala Lumpur and due for completion In stages.

With an average occupancy rate just slightly over 60 percent, Malaysia is therefore In a position to sustain any sudden increase in tourist traffic for the present time and in the immediate future.

Voir aussi site tourismmalaysia"