Ministry all out to woo tourists

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, said the focus would be on the Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern and Asian market.

She said a total of 24.78 million tourists visited Malaysia last year, spending more than RM5 billion.Dr Ng said the ministry expects the number of tourists to increase to 25 million this year, with a total spending of RM6 billion.

"The ministry is going all out to woo more tourists with new products this year," she told reporters after recently surveying tourist hotspots and opening the Quan Wei restaurant at Jalan Abdul Rahman in Muar.

Dr Ng said tourism is a product and each state in the country has drawn up programmes to promote its own attractions.

She said to encourage more tourist arrivals, the ministry has invited international airlines to fly to more destinations in Malaysia."We will provide them with new products to ensure new experience and excitement for their holidays."

Dr Ng lauded the Muar Municipal Council for drawing up large-scale programmes to promote local attractions such as the lion dance, furniture industry and migratory birds.

She said Muar's lion dance troupes have captured 41 world championship titles, and the furniture industry accounted for 45 per cent of the country's total furniture export, while Parit Jawa is one of the important spots for migratory birds.

She added that Muar's other natural endowments include  the green coastline with its marine life, the rich fishing grounds along the Straits of Malacca and Gunung Ledang, the home of a legendary princess.

The minister also commended Chris Lee Ching Yong, the special officer appointed by Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, for drawing up a comprehensive 2012 Muar City Map for the convenience of tourists.Lee presented 10,000 copies of the map to Dr Ng for distribution to Tourism offices overseas.

Source - nst.com.my