Malaysia welcomed more than 11.6 million tourists

Malaysia welcomed more than 11.6 million tourists in the first six months of this year, an increase of 2.4 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Tourism  Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said today the  total tourists receipts from January to June rose by four per  cent, generating RM26.8 billion for the country's revenue   compared to RM25.7 billion in 2011.
"The Asean countries continued to be the largest con tributor of tourist arrivals with Philippines recording the  highest growth of 45.3 per cent, followed by China with 34.2  per cent and Japan with 32.5 per cent.
"The rise in the number of tourists is due to the strong  support from trade partners and the increase air con nectivity to several key destinations such as Beijing, Hong  Kong and Kansai," she said at a press conference held  here.
Dr Ng said there was a decrease in certain countries due to  the change in recording arrivals based on nationality instead  of country of residence.
"There is a decrease from countries such as Singapore and  Australia as many of their residents are nationals from other  countries such as New Zealand, India or China," she said,  while adding that the decline was only minimal.
The minister said that they were also working together  with Russia to start routing more flights to Malaysia to  increase tourists from the country.
She said key international events such as the Floria  Putrajaya, the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix and  also the open house events have contributed to the continued  growth of Malaysia's tourist arrivals.
"The tourists flocked to the Prime Minister's open house  during Raya, and the positive response that they have given  us showed that they are truly amazed that we share this  tradition.
"They are also surprised that the people can spend the day  with the leaders of the country openly," she said.
  When asked about the tourists that end up being illegals in  the country, the minister said that the ministry would drop  them from the list if they received reports from the im migration department.
  "If we learned of their activities or we have reports of them  not leaving the country then they will be dropped from the  list. However, it is quite hard to keep track, especially if they  use student passes," she said.

Sourced: nst