Tourism And Culture Minister Leads M'sian Delegation To ITB Berlin

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Feb 26 (Bernama) - Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz is leading a Malaysian delegation to ITB Berlin, Europe’s largest and most prominent tourism fair to promote Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014. Nazri is scheduled to declare open the Malaysia Pavilion at ITB Berlin on March 5 and host the VMY 2014 Evening Reception in Berlin which will showcase the best of Malaysian culture, cuisine and traditional performances to European media, tour operators and guests. “With VMY 2014 offering several attractive and affordable packages throughout the year and an increase in flights to Malaysia, we can expect even more European arrivals to the country,” he said in a statement. To date, a total of 418 VMY 2014 packages worth €56 million (US$76.17 million) have been developed and sold by Tourism Malaysia and its partners in Europe. The ITB Berlin last year attracted participation of 100,000 tourism exhibitors, drawing in crowds of over 300,000 buyers and visitors. Malaysia has been actively participating in the ITB Berlin over the last 40 years, since 1974. This year, Malaysia is the Convention and Culture Partner for the ITB Convention, which is part of the ITB Berlin event. Nazri said the participation in ITB Berlin this year is especially meaningful in promoting VMY 2014. “As such, we are proud to be the Convention and Culture Partner for ITB Convention 2014. “It is a great honour to be a co-host for this event and we are extremely excited to have this highly visible platform to showcase the diversity of Malaysian culture through our cultural dance troupes, artisans and handicraft demonstrators," he said. Participating in ITB Berlin is part of the ministry's 12-day tourism sales mission to the major European cities of Amsterdam, Paris, Milan and Berlin starting Monday. The sales mission including VMY 2014 Travel Mart & Seminar and reception, the VMY 2014 Evening Reception to local tour operators, retail agents, media and invited guests scheduled for in Amsterdam on Feb 25, Paris (Feb27) and Milan (March 3). --BERNAMA