Malaysia’s 2005 Target: 16.7 m Arrivals

Building Trade Relations

In year 2005, bolstered by an allocation of RM130 million, Malaysia is targeting 16.7 million tourist arrivals.

According to Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad, tourism minister, this figure will be achieved by way of a new marketing and promotional strategy targeted at selling the country's multifaceted attractions in nine key markets - East Asia, West Asia, South Asia, North Asia, Asean, Oceania, Europe, the United States and the domestic market.

At a recently concluded Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) overseas directors meeting, Toyad said, "The rationale for us to focus on the market segments is to meet the requirement of the market itself. The West Asia market will be much different from North Asia."

North Asia, he said, would be given special focus since the region was a good market for golfing fans while ASEAN countries will be targeted for shopping tourists and Europe for eco or adventure tourists.

Revealing some statistics, he said that the biggest contributor to the company's tourism were Singaporeans followed by China, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Britain and Australia.

Preparations for the 'Visit Malaysia Year 2007' is already being started, he added.