Friday, September 16, 2011

PROMOTION OF UNFAMILIAR PLACES

Unfamiliar places including destinations in the East Coast and Perak are being promoted by Tourism Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia is seeing more and more Singaporean tourists visiting new destinations in Malaysia with a good number heading to Sabah and Sarawak, said Tourism Malaysia's Singapore Office Director Zalizam Zakaria.

"The momentum for this year is not bad as Tourism Malaysia continues to promote many more unknown destinations which offer a totally new experience for them. Besides, homestay is getting popular day by day as it offers something new and special experience they can no longer have in Singapore. A three-day, two-night stay will be perfect to gain some good experience in the kampong," he said at the Tourism Malaysia Hari Raya Gathering here today.

Some 13 million Singaporeans visited Malaysia last year, spending about RM28.4 billion during their stay. They accounted for 53 per cent of total tourist arrivals to Malaysia.

In a speech, Zalizam thanked all Singaporean industry players especially travel agents for their undivided support, commitment and tireless effort to promote Malaysia to their clients. He also thanked the media for their effort in producing articles in their publications about new destinations and experiences to their readers.

Next year, Tourism Malaysia would like to bring Singaporean students to experience the kampong life homestay-style in collaboration with Singapore's Education Ministry.

This month, it has launched an outdoor campaign by having 40 single and five double decker buses wrapped with nice visuals projecting homestay, shopping and the islands and beaches, among others.

"The public will see this frequently everywhere in Singapore," Zalizam said. "For the very first time, we are also bringing a few airlines to take part in the Travel Malaysia exhibition (on Nov 4-6) and offer special airfares and packages to all parts of Malaysia."

Besides, he said: "We are also working closely with Malaysian Immigration to open a booth at Travel Malaysia to process MACS (Malaysia Automated Clearance System) to all Singaporean and permanent residents. MACS holders are no longer required to fill the white card and have their passports stamped, thus making it much easier for them to travel to Malaysia as they like," he said.

No comments:

Post a Comment