US$202.9 Mln To Enhance Security In Esscom Can Boost Tourism, Says MATTA

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) believes the US$202.96 million (RM660 million) budget allocation to enhance security in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak can boost tourism in Malaysia. Matta vice-president (Inbound), KL Tan said safety and security were the main considerations for tourists when visiting the East Coast of Sabah and the speedy implementation would auger well for tourism and other economic activities to bounce back. "With the government's full focus on the safety and security issues in ESSZone, it is only a matter of time that full confidence will be restored and travel advisories being lifted", said Tan. Tan also suggested that the government considered Tourist VISA Exemptions for China tourists in an effort to boost Chinese tourist arrivals which had been affected due to the MH370 and kidnapping incidents in the East Coast of Sabah. Tan said the tourist visa exemption could be issued for a limited period of leisure travel in Malaysia of say 30 days. "Tourist visa exemptions for selected countries by the Government may be a good strategy to boost Chinese tourist arrivals on a short-term basis," he said. Last Friday Najib have announced a US$97.17 million (RM316 million) allocation for various programmes under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in conjunction with Malaysia's Year of Festivals 2015. The government is targeting 29.4 million foreign tourist arrivals with an expected income of US$27.36 billion (RM89 billion) next year. -- BERNAMA