It's Pata time for tourists in Malaysia

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) has pledged to keep working with Malaysia to continue the country’s remarkable tourism success story.

“People around the world are excited to see Malaysia grow and claim its place on the global tourism stage,” said Pata outgoing chairman Hiran Cooray.

He said this in his speech at the welcoming dinner for delegates of the Pata Annual Conference 2012 yesterday.

“With 25 million international visitors in 2011, Malaysia is now the fifth most popular destination in the Asia Pasific region.

“According to Pata’s latest forecast, inbound traffic to Malaysia is expected to grow 10% annually and reach 35 million by 2014,” he said, adding that they had no doubt that Malaysia would reach the mark before 2014.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said tourism was very important to the economy.

She said the conference’s theme this year, “Building the Business Beyond Profits” was very consistent with the ministry’s philosophy.

“We subscribe strongly to the philosophy that tourism preserves, protects and conserves mother nature, heritage and culture,” she said.

The conference will be held here today until tomorrow, and launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

It will be the fourth time that Malaysia will host the event, which is expected to be attended by 600 participants from 38 countries.

Source - thestar.com.my