New Airasia X Service To Boost Aussie Tourist Numbers To Malaysia

By Neville D'Cruz MELBOURNE, April 2 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia believes Australian interest in Malaysia will significantly increase with the launch of AirAsia X's daily return service from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur. This follows from a sustained period of growth in Australian outbound tourism to Malaysia, which has increased by 53 per cent in the last five years. Tourism Malaysia's director in Sydney, Shahrin Mokhtar, said AirAsia X's new daily service from Sydney would greatly boost the profile of Malaysia among potential Australian travellers. "Over the past five years, Australian travel departures to Malaysia have rapidly increased, and Australia is currently the seventh largest source market for Malaysia. "The launch of AirAsia X's new daily service from Sydney will provide Australian travellers with improved access to Kuala Lumpur, and also to other destinations within Malaysia which are easily accessible via AirAsia's domestic fleet," he said in a statement. "Tourism Malaysia believes the launch of AirAsia's daily service from Sydney will significantly contribute to the ongoing growth of Australian outbound departures to Malaysia. "Tourism Malaysia is continuing to work closely with our partners around the world as part of a global 10-year tourism strategy to attract high yield tourists and achieve 36 million tourist arrivals by 2020." Shahrin said Australia was a key international market and was delighted there was more opportunities for Australians to travel to Malaysia "to experience our unique destinations, events and culture". In addition to the AirAsia X flights, the Tourism Malaysian director said Australians would also enjoy the strong value-for-money proposition and diversity Malaysia offers to travellers. "From luxurious accommodation, to sumptuous dining and access to some of the world's best shopping, there are limitless opportunities for a high-end holiday in Kuala Lumpur, but it is also very good value and within reach of ordinary Australians," he said. "Kuala Lumpur is also a great gateway for Australians to experience the range of diverse attractions and destinations on offer in Malaysia. With daily flights available through AirAsia, travellers can easily access destinations like Sabah and Sarawak (east Malaysia's states), Penang and Langkawi (both are northern states of Malaysia)." -- BERNAMA