MALAYSIA VOTED ASIA'S 2ND BEST DESTINATION BY 'GO ASIA'

BERLIN, March 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia was declared the second best
destination in Asia by 'Go Asia', a tourism marketing network specialising in
Asia, which gave good marks to the overall facilities available for tourism in
Malaysia.

In addition, the Frankfurt office of Tourism Malaysia was voted as the
third best foreign tourist promotion office in Frankfurt, decided over a number
of factors including staff response to queries and professionalism.

Azizan Noordin, Tourism Malayia deputy director-general, who is heading
the large Malaysian contingent here including tour operators and hoteliers,
told Bernama that he was "very happy" over the award.

The 'Go Asia' initiative was founded in 2003 to enhance marketing
in German-speaking regions. IT currently has 28 members consisting of tour
operators, airlines and tourism boards.

Malaysia has also been listed as one of the 10 top destinations of the world
by Lonely Planet.


With the world economy rebounding, Tourism Malaysia has also increased its
overall tourist arrival projection from 23.6 million to 24 million in 2010 with
many experts in this part of the world saying that the number could be "easily
crossed".

Tourism traffic from Germany posted a double-digit growth of 15 per cent
last year to 128,288 arrivals.

Azizan said Malaysia's homestay programmes which are popular with Koreans
and Japanese who stay for two to three days with Malaysian families to get a
first-hand experience of living in a Malaysian home, would be marketed in
Germany and other European countries.

German tourists to Malaysia stay for an average of 10.3 nights, far more
than other nationals.

"We will be promoting high-end packages this year in the German market. We
have organised some special events for this segment. The Grand Prix Petronas
project is being organised in collaboratión with Mercedes Benz.

"Another attractive event will be the International Shoe Festival in
Malaysia. Jimmy Choo, the Malaysian shoe icon, will host this event.

"This will be followed by the Malaysian Contemporary Art Tourism Festival,"
said Azizan.

Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit, accompanied by the Federal German Minister for
Economics and Technology, Rainer Bruederle, on Wednesday visited the Malaysian
pavilion which featured a Melaka village (kampung) house.

-- BERNAMA