Tourism Malaysia aims to attract more than 2 million international tourists in 2022, by showcasing the country’s Truly Asia heritage. Tourism Malaysia is the tourism promotional board under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).
At the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market 2022, the promotional board signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Dubai-based Emirates Airline as part of an effort to develop tourist traffic to Malaysia across the airline’s network of key markets.
According to the strategic agreement between the two entities, Tourism Malaysia and Emirates will identify and explore mutually beneficial initiatives to attract more tourists to the country. The agreement will also offer Emirates the opportunity to serve the Malaysian market with workshops, seminars, familiarization trips, in-flight marketing campaigns, and other marketing efforts.
The goal at the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market 2022 was to strengthen the region’s commitment to future partnerships, and enhanced cooperation within the travel and tourism industry.
Malaysia to focus on the Middle Eastern market
The country’s Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri said that the Ministry will continue to emphasize and focus on the Middle Eastern market for outbound tourism, and will step up promotional efforts in the region.
The Minister further added that it was a relief for the country to welcome international tourists, which will further boost the economy. The minister also said that the country hopes for a strong rebound in the tourism market, and aims to attract more than 2 million tourists to the country in 2022, along with more than USD2 billion in tourism revenue.
The country’s participation at the recently concluded Expo 2020 Dubai provided it with an opportunity to showcase its multicultural identity, and promote the country as part of the world’s big family. The government stated that it has recognized the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation and international ties, in an effort to secure full recovery for the tourism sector.
Keeping in line with its National Tourism Policy 2020 – 2030, Malaysia hosted the Eco-Tourism week at the Expo 2020 Dubai, to promote the country as the best destination for eco-tourism in the world. Sixteen organizations and tour agencies participated in the week-long programme, providing an opportunity to revive promotional efforts on a global scale.
Visitors to the Malaysia Pavilion were able to experience the theme – Malaysia, Truly Asia, with daily cultural performances, and a showcase of the traditions, arts and crafts of the various ethnic groups of the country. The shows by the ministry’s National Department for Culture and Arts proved to be highly popular with visitors to the Malaysian Pavilion. Malaysia also showcased the best of its traditional cuisines, in an effort to attract visitors to the country and experience more.