Ministry seeks additional RM400m to boost tourism Print
Saturday, 21 February 2009 13:42

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry will be asking for an additional RM400 million allocation from the Finance Ministry under the economic stimulus package.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the money would be spent on the maintenance of tourism products at the state level.

Launching the Jingle and Quiz Zoom! Malaysia in conjunction with the Zoom! Jalan Masjid India here yesterday, she said well-maintained tourism facilities would draw tourists.

On the success of the domestic tourism campaign, she said it had received very positive response from the community with the ministry targeting schoolchildren next month during the school holidays.

Azalina said hotel occupancy was also going up with an average rate of 60 per cent.

She said the target this year was to achieve 20 million tourist arrivals against last year's 22.05 million in view of the global downturn.

"We will also go aggressive in promoting the MICE (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions) market, Malaysia My Second Home and medical tourism sectors.

"By focusing on these niche groups, we want to raise their spending power as the tourist coming for conventions spends an average of RM7,000 as opposed to the average tourist who only spends RM2,000."

Earlier, she advised tourists to visit the Masjid India shopping area as it not only had excellent shopping opportunities but was also surrounded by historical buildings.

 

Source: NST


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