36 Million Tourists Targeted By 2020

A total of 36 million foreign tourists are expected to visit the country by the year 2020 with an estimated revenue of RM168 billion from tourism, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said the target was achievable with the implementation of 12 strategic initiatives under the National Key Result Areas for tourism such as 'Luxury Malaysia' and 'Agrotourism'.

"Malaysia had received 24.6 million tourists from all over the world in 2010 with tourism revenue totalling RM56.4 billion... this shows an income of more than RM1 billion a week.

"Who gets the income? ...taxi drivers, fruit sellers, food traders and other Malaysians. Here we see that tourism is an agent for economic prosperity for the rakyat," she said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2012 for the ministry at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, here.

She said that in order to attract more tourists, the main factor to be emphasised by Malaysians was cleanliness, especially the areas that the tourists would be visiting such as the beaches and public amenities.

Source - bernama