LONDON, United Kingdom, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia returns to participate in World Travel Market in London this year with a strong message to promote Visit Malaysia 2020.

Datuk Ahmad Shah Hussein Tambakau says, “This year’s participation in WTM is significant as we promote the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign with targets of 30 million tourists and RM100 billion or approximately 18 billion pounds in terms of tourist receipts. This campaign focuses on ecotourism, arts and culture, befitting with the National Ecotourism Plan 2016-2025 and the National Culture Policy.”

More than 100 events have been lined up for next year’s celebrations to showcase Malaysia’s diverse culture and traditions. These include the Malaysia Open House (Chinese New Year, Aidilfitri, Deepavali and Christmas), Thaipusam, Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Festival (Harvest Festival), George Town Festival, Rainforest World Music Festival, Regatta Lepa and Selangor International Indigenous Arts Festival, to name a few.

One of the key events lined up is the Asia Golf Tourism Conference (AGTC) on 30 March to 2 April 2020 organised by International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). Malaysia has been positioned as an exciting and affordable year-round golf destination, and this conference is expected to raise Malaysia’s profile further.

Malaysia is also excited to host two other high-profile business events in 2020 namely PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit. Both these events are expected to shine the limelight on Malaysia.

In terms of attractions and offerings, Malaysia’s 13 states offer varied experiences. Melaka’s historic sites, Penang’s gastronomic offerings, Pahang’s thick rainforests, Sabah’s natural landscapes, and Sarawak’s exotic cultures – these are some of the exciting possibilities awaiting tourists to Malaysia next year.

In addition, numerous new hotels will be open to accommodate tourists. Among the new hotel openings are Anantara, One&Only Resort and Hard Rock Hotel in Desaru Coast in Johor; Sheraton Imperial; Conrad Kuala Lumpur; and Pavilion Hotel managed by Banyan Tree. Three AC Hotels under the Marriott brand are also expected to open soon.

As part of the promotions in London, Tourism Malaysia has launched the Visit Malaysia 2020 Bus and Taxi Wrap campaign to provide the visibility needed to push Malaysian holidays and destinations in this market.

Strengthening the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign is the concurrent campaign for Malaysia Year of Healthcare Travel, also happening in 2020. Malaysia has received strong interest as a health and wellness destination recently, welcoming 1.2 million healthcare travellers in 2018 alone.

“The Malaysia Year of Healthcare Travel campaign will showcase Malaysia as a world-class destination for healthcare and wellness for all, through excellent health services and unique tourism experiences. Our expertise in Malaysia covers the areas of oncology, cardiology and fertility treatments,” says the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia.

To facilitate travel to Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia is working with international airlines to increase connectivity. Currently, the London-Kuala Lumpur route is served by Malaysia Airlines totaling 14 flights and 5,166 seats per week. Through the Joint International Development Tourism Programme (JITDP), Malaysia has signed an agreement with Etihad Airways to increase accessibility to Malaysia. Further partnerships with other airlines are also in the pipeline.

Similarly, Tourism Malaysia is engaged in discussions with key industry players including TUI, Kuoni and British Airways to develop more holiday packages and drive traffic to the tropical holiday destination.

“Malaysia is spearheading all these developments to signify our genuine interest to grow and promote Malaysia as a top tourist destination and give assurance to industry players here of our commitment to tourism growth,”

“In fact, the Malaysian Government recognizes the importance of tourism industry to the economy and the Prime Minister has given his full backing for the Visit Malaysia 2020 campaign, calling it a national mission that the citizens, public and private sector must engage in and support,” he adds.

“We are all excited to be here at WTM once again to meet our partners and forge new relations. This is an important platform for us to promote Malaysia’s extensive tourism offerings and introduce our new and upcoming tourist attractions that we believe will satisfy the needs of the UK and Europe market,” he says.

The Malaysia Pavilion is located at AS 600, ExCel Exhibition Centre, and houses some 50 of Malaysian sellers including hotels, tour operators, tourism product owners, state tourism boards, and airlines.

For more media releases, media info and media features on Malaysia’s tourism industry, kindly visit the Media Centre of Tourism Malaysia’s website at http://www.tourism.gov.my/

MALAYSIA TOURISM PROMOTION BOARD OR TOURISM MALAYSIA is an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia. It focuses on the specific task of promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination. Since its inception, it has emerged as a major player in the international tourism scene. In 2018, Malaysia registered 25.8 million tourist arrivals and RM84.1 billion tourist receipts, placing it among the major tourism destinations of the world.

SOURCE: TOURISM MALAYSIA 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Name: Muadz Samat
Assistant Director, Corporate Communication Division
Tel: +603 8891 8755
Email: muadz@tourism.gov.my

--BERNAMA