Melaka Ranks 28th Out of 45 World's Tourism Destination

MELAKA, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- The listing of Melaka at 28th position, out of the 45 destinations in the world which should be visited this year, by The New York Times newspaper is expected to attract more than 12 million tourists to the state this year. Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam said the recognition given to Melaka also proved that the government's efforts in adding value and preserving old heritage had gained world attention,. "We do not expect to be given such a recognition, which is the second, because Melaka has been listed on lonelyplanet.com as one of the 10 destinations which should be visited in 2007," he told reporters after the monthly assembly of the state administration here Monday. He said the recognition, made through an article titled "The 45 Places to Go in 2012", published last Friday, would further spur the Melaka government to boost the state tourism industry. Last year, Melaka attracted about 11 million visitors, he added. Mohd Ali said efforts would continue to be made by the state government to attract more visitors, including to add value to all old buildings and diversify tourism products. In another development, Mohd Ali said the state government would find ways to pay compensation of RM7.2 million (US$2.28 million) to about 10 stage bus companies in the state who had to stop their operations on Feb 1 due to financial problems. The compensation payment would result in the state government to incur losses of RM14 million (US$4.44 million), but there was no other option, he added. He said the state government would take over the management of the stage buses in the state soon. Malacca (Malay: Melaka), dubbed The Historic State among locals is the third smallest Malaysian state. It is located in the southern region of the Malay Peninsula, on the Straits of Malacca. It borders Negeri Sembilan to the north and the state of Johor to the south. The capital is Malacca City, which is 148 km south east of Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur -- BERNAMA