ACCORDING to a recent RNCOS report the Malaysian Tourism Industry Forecast to 2012, tourism has emerged as the country’s second largest revenue earner after manufacturing, despite the global economic slowdown and recession


It is the backbone of a large number of businesses and creates employment opportunities for thousands of Malaysians.

Moreover, with a peaceful environment, stable economic conditions, and supportive government policies, international tourist arrivals in Malaysia will reach nearly 32 million, growing at nearly eight per cent, during the forecasted period (2011-2013).

The Malaysian government is continuously making efforts to establish its tourist industry in the global market and today the country is among the top 10 tourist destinations in the world.

Malaysia’s tourism promotion board is also coming up with new promotional packages to attract tourist from various destinations and authorities are pouring huge amount s of investment into developing the tourist industry.

At the recently concluded ITB 2011 in Berlin, Malaysia took home two prestigious Golden City Gate 2011 awards. The ‘Malaysia My Second Home’ video won the Best TV Travel Magazine award while the Malaysia Truly Asia posters secured the second prize in the print campaign category.

The awards were received by Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin, acting director general of Tourism Malaysia.

This year, the Malaysian delegation included representatives from six regional tourism boards (Johor, Langkawi, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu), 28 hoteliers, 19 tour operators, two associations, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and senior officials from Tourism Malaysia.

Haji Azizan launched a special calendar of events consisting of six main tourism events in 2011.

They are the sales carnivals – Malaysia GP Sale – March 15 to April 15, Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival – June 15 to August 31 and Malaysia Year End Sale – November 15 to January 1, 2012. And Also Malaysia International Shoe Festival, April 7 to 10, Colours of Malaysia, May 21, Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival, July 2 to September 30, Fabulous Food Malaysia (International Gourmet Festival) October 1 to 31, Asean Food Heritage Trail, November 1 to 30, Street Food & Restaurant Festival, December 1 to 31 and the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia, October 27 to 30.

Source: http://www.ttnworldwide.com/articles.aspx?ID=1575&artID=11038