MALAYSIA is stepping up promotional activities in other South Asian markets beyond India to increase tourist arrivals from the region.
As per the latest statistics of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, arrivals from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan are growing, albeit from a small base.
Between January and October 2014, arrivals from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal recorded a year-on-year increase of 54.1 per, 18.7 per cent and 12.7 per cent respectively, although Sri Lanka slipped a marginal 2.2 per cent. Indian tourist arrivals grew 20.7 per cent year-on-year to reach 643,335.
The NTO is targeting 1.2 million tourists from South Asia, including 800,000 tourist arrivals from India, this year.
On the sidelines of a press conference to promote Malaysia Year of Festivals (MYFest 2015) yesterday, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board deputy director general (promotion), Azizan Noordin, revealed: “We will step up our trade and consumer promotional activities in these markets this year through tactical advertising with travel consultants and airlines as well as fam trips for the consultants and media.”
The board’s director, Manoharan Periasamy, added: “We are recording a good incentive movement from Pakistan. Our plan is to participate in all the tradeshows in markets like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We will intensify our joint marketing campaigns with travel consultants to showcase Malaysia as a family and business destination.”
Meanwhile, the board is also looking to organise a luxury travel mart in India in 2H2015 to promote the concept of affordable luxury in Malaysia among Indian travellers. About 25 suppliers from Malaysia are expected to participate in the travel mart.
The board has embarked on a sales mission since yesterday covering New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad until February 17, to create awareness for MyFest2015. Twelve to 14 activities under MyFest2015, pertaining to shopping, sports and culture are being promoted.
