Mumbai:As part of its efforts to raise awareness on the celebration of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 globally, Tourism Malaysia is embarking on a sales mission to India and Sri Lanka, from 10 March until 20 March.

The Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz is scheduled to lead the Malaysian delegation to Mumbai and New Delhi from 17 to 20 March. He will be joined by the Director General of Tourism Malaysia Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab.

Prior to that, Tourism Malaysia’s Deputy Director General (Planning) Dato’ Azizan Noordin is leading the delegation to Colombo, Kochi and Bangalore, until 16 March.

The sales mission is expected to capture a larger share of the South Asian market, besides to promote the VMY 2014 campaign.

Throughout the sales mission, Tourism Malaysia will organise a travel mart in every city to provide a platform for the travel trade players to meet and network. It also aims to showcase Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings and highlight the scope for collaboration between travel agents in Malaysia and India, as well as Sri Lanka.

In addition, a trade evening will also be organised in each city to promote VMY 2014 with cultural performance and fashion show. The dinner also serves as a token of appreciation to the local tourism fraternity and media for their support and commitment in promoting Malaysia as a preferred destination for both leisure and business. Besides that, media interviews, press conferences, and meetings with tour operators will also be held.

The Malaysian delegation comprises a total of 86 participants from 44 organisations representing the local travel trade, which include state tourism bodies.

The sales mission also aims to strengthen the presence of Malaysia in the South Asian market, and to keep the Indian and Sri Lankan’s travel trade, media and corporate sector updated on the current issues and tourism development in Malaysia, especially during the VMY 2014 campaign.

India has always been an important market for Malaysia. In 2013, a total of 650,989 Indian travellers visited Malaysia, maintaining its position as the sixth top tourist generating market to the country.

Tourist arrivals from Sri Lanka was 64,051 in 2013, which was an increase of 2.0% against 62,821 tourists in 2012.

Last year, the South Asian region contributed 1.08 million tourists to Malaysia’s total arrivals, signifying an increase of 1.9% compared to the previous year.

Malaysia’s tourism sector continued to be a major money-maker for the country in 2013. Tourist receipts were RM65.44 billion, surpassing the initial target of RM65 billion. It was an increase of 8.1% from RM60.56 billion in 2012. Tourist arrivals grew by 2.7% to 25.7 million compared to 25 million in 2012.

This year if there is a place to be, it’s Malaysia. More than 200 events await tourists in Malaysia.

 

For instance, thousands of international auto racing fans will flock to Malaysia end of this month for the F1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix. Other events that will interest sports fans include the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, and Monsoon Cup.

If those who like culture, there is Colours of 1Malaysia and Borneo Cultural Festival. Foodies should come for the three-month Fabulous Food 1Malaysia. For music lovers, Malaysia has the Rainforest World Music Festival, Sunset Music Festival, and Penang World Music Festival, just to name a few.

The annual 1Malaysia Mega Sale is also a much-anticipated event. Shopping is a must in Kuala Lumpur. After all, it was ranked by CNN as the fourth Best Shopping City in the World.

The Royal Belum Rainforest is another exciting and new ecotourism  destination. This 3,000 sq. km complex of nature is home to over 3,000 species of flowering plants, including three species of the largest flower in the world, the Rafflesia. It is also the natural habitat for 14 of the world’s most threatened mammals including the Malayan Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros and Asiatic Elephant.

Kids can also have a fabulous time in Malaysia with theme parks in almost every part of the country. Some of the latest include Asia’s first LEGOLAND theme park, the Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park and KidZania. You can have fun at the first LEGOLAND Water Park in Asia, which is also the largest in the world.

For a romantic escapade or luxurious holidays, there are numerous high-end hotels and resorts, offering award-winning spa services. Among the newest are Majestic KL, Grand Hyatt KL and Gaya Island Resort in Sabah. Other big names that will open their doors soon include the St. Regis, Harrods, Four Seasons Place KL, and W Hotel.

Malaysia has also carved a name for itself as a business tourism destination. We were ranked ninth in Asia Pacific and Middle East in 2012 by ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association).

MAJOR RECOGNITIONS/ACCOLADES

1.            No. 10 in Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2014

·         The only Asian country to have made the list.

·         Penang has been named the No.1 culinary spot in the world for 2014.

2.            CNN’s World’s 100 best beaches (2013)–  Perhentian Kecil island, Terengganu (No.13), Juara Beach in Tioman Island, Pahang (No.21), and Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi, Kedah (No.49) – compiled from various sources (travellers, colleagues, readers, on-site visits and research).

3.            Kuala Lumpur – 4th – Best Shopping City in the World by CNN survey in 2012

4.            2nd Best Shopping Destination in Asia Pacific by Globe Shopper Index 2012

Source: Lokesh Shastri