(L-R) Executive Chairman, Housecoff, Dato’ Mohd Khalid Harun; Marketing Manager, Toursim Malaysia, Simon Bracken; Director, Toursim Malaysia, Shahrin Mokhtar; Deputy Director, Toursim Malaysia, Rosnah Mustafah

Despite the current economic crisis, Tourism Malaysia has confirmed that Malaysia is well on its way to achieving its target of 22.9 million total arrivals in 2008. 

Deputy Director, International Marketing Division, Syed Muhadzir Jamallulil said that Malaysia was also still on track to receive an estimated 400,000 tourists from Australia by the end of the year. 

Deputy Director, International Marketing Division, Syed Muhadzir Jamallulil said that the key to maintaining Malaysia’s positive arrival figures was for the country to continue to cultivate its niche markets 

Tourism Malaysia has been making a concerted effort to promote its niche products including medical tourism, MICE, education tourism, eco tourism, cruising, Malaysia My Second Home and homestay.

Syed said that Tourism Malaysia was looking forward to the launch of the long-awaited Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MYCEB), which he hopes will stimulate MICE business in Malaysia.  

Tourism Malaysia, Director, Shahrin Mokhtar also spoke briefly about the recent airport closures in Thailand. 

“As we are one of (Thailand’s) closest neighbours there has been a spill over effect,” he said, “We are here to help Thailand during its time of crisis.”

Source: e-Travel Blackboard