Domestic Tourism Among Malaysia's Focus In Future, Says Minister

Ahmad Fuad Yahya MANADO (NORTH SULAWESI) Jan 13 (Bernama) -- Domestic tourism will be among the focus to be given by Malaysia in future following the success of the domestic vacation programme which contributed significantly to the national economy. Malaysia's Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said the data showed that in 2010, Malaysians had made 110 million trips to go on vacation in the country which contributed an income of RM34 billion (US$10.84 billion). The success, which was achieved through aggressive promotions including the 'Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia (1Malaysia Holidays)' programme indicated that the tourism industry had the potentials to make a significant contribution to the country's income. "Many of us may have forgotten that Malaysia has numerous tourist destinations which are attractive and must be visited. "Thus, our focus in future is to give emphasis on domestic tourism because this segment offers considerable returns to the country," she said on the sidelines of the Asean Plus Three (China, Japan and Korea) Tourism Ministers' Meeting, here Thursday. Dr Ng, who is here to attend the Asean Tourism Ministers' Meeting, will also participate in the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) sheduled to be officially opened by Indonesia's Vice-President Boediono, here Thursday night. She drew atention to the success of China in efforts to develop her domestic tourism as pointed out at the Asean Plus Three (China, Japan and Korea) Tourism Ministers' Meeting Thursday. Last year, for example, China earned an income of US$308 billion from its domestic tourism and this also contributed to the prosperity of its provinces besides enhancing harmony between the provinces as well as national harmony and security, she said. Dr Ng said that in Malaysia, the cost of holidaying in the country was still cheap compared to a holiday abroad if the local residents made the right choice by opting for moderate or cheap accommodation that was clean and of quality such as the home stay vacation facilities. She said it was impossible for hotels in Malaysia, particularly the five-star hotels, to reduce their room rates because this would affect the country's image among foreign tourists. -- BERNAMA