A clean- green tourism machine

The Malaysian Tourism Ministry wants 36 million tourist arrivals by 2020 and has embarked on an active campaign, '1Malaysia Green and Clean', to help achieve their goal.

"Malaysia is becoming more and popular as a tourist destination," Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen told local media at the campaign's launch.

"In fact we were in ninth place as the most visited country last year."

The Tourism Minister hopes to build on this growth and reach its 36 million arrivals target by establishing Malaysia as a clean country.

Pointing out that tourism is a competitive industry Dr Ng said a clean reputation would give Malaysia an edge over other destinations, reported local media.

"I always get visitors praising [Malaysia's] beauty, the good food and the hospitality of the people, but at the same time complaining about dirty toilets and littering," Dr Ng said.

According to Dr Ng, Malaysia would earn RM3 billion a week in revenue with its targeted 36 million arrivals.
In the year to May tourist arrivals to Malaysia increased to 9.6 million, 4.2 per cent up from the same period last year.

Sourced=etravelblackboard