Malaysia Expects 20 Million Tourists This Year Print
Friday, 20 February 2009 13:40
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Ministry expects around 20 million domestic and foreign tourists this year, down from 22.05 million last year, due to the worldwide economic slowdown.

Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that with the current scenario, the ministry would focus more on domestic tourism.

The government foresaw 40 million hotel night stays from the domestic market alone for 2009, she told reporters after launching the "Jingle Dan Kuiz" programme Zoom Malaysia" programme here.

Azalina's strategy to stimulate the local market includes tie-ins with the various RTM radio stations, Astro and TV3 to generate more interest from locals tourists.

She said she would visit the Finance Ministry later today to propose a RM400 million stimulus package to maintain tourism products throughout the country.

"We want to focus on better maintenance of our current tourism products. Plus, this stimulus package will also focus on our three niche markets which are meetings, incentives, conventions and events (Mice), Malaysia My Second Home and medical tourism."

-- BERNAMA

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