Three tourism officials put country on world map

PUTRAJAYA: Three top tourism officials in Malaysia have put the country on the world map by clinching several prominent appointments to various international tourism authorities.

In a recognition of the capability of Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) appointed him as chairman of the UNWTO Commission for South-East Asia and the Pacific for the 2012-2013 term.

Ong was also appointed to chairmanship on the UNWTO programme and budget committee, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Meanwhile, Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Datuk Azizan Nordin has been appointed into the 12-men board of PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) as well as chairman of the destination sub-committee for National and Provincial Tourist Offices Worldwide.

Also having received an international appointment recently was Malaysia Conventions and Exhibition Bureau (MyCeb) chief executive officer Zulkefli Shariff, who will be president of the Association of Asean Conventions and Visitors Bureau.

“This shows that Malaysia has been acknowledged as an advanced nation in the tourism industry,” she said at the ministry's monthly gathering yesterday.

Sourced: thestar