PETALING JAYA: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has been advised to step up digital marketing efforts and team up with market bodies in abroad promotions.The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Representatives(Matta )also urged the ministry to abolish the tourist tax and offer rewards to upgrade the quality of tourism vehicles that cater to high-spending tourists.”We are thankful the new government recognised the importance of tourism in creating foreign exchange, creating tasks and stimulating the economy,”Matta president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said today in congratulating Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi for his appointment as the brand-new minister.”In 2015, 25.95 million foreign visitors spent RM82.1 billion in Malaysia and domestic visitors spent another RM83.1 billion within the nation.”He said Matta is eager to work closely with Mohamaddin to accomplish tourist targets, modernise out-of-date laws, introduce incentives to spur the market and step up enforcement against unlawful and unlicensed operators.The Arts Live Festivals and Events Association(Alife)likewise lauded Mohamaddin’s visit.
“We at Alife eagerly anticipate the debt consolidation of arts into the ministry,”said Para Rajagopal, President
of Alife.”We hope that the ministry of the new Malaysia would acknowledge the role of major arts,
entertainment and sporting occasions in developing streams of revenue in the tourist sector and continue to enhance the occasions market in the country.” Inning accordance with Para, at least 200 significant occasions had been held in Malaysia in between 2012 and 2017.
These occasions produced an income of RM3.13 billion for the local economy from traveler expenses with the support of Malaysia Major Events.Of the RM3.13 billion, 30 %were created in the hotel market (three to 5 star and budget hotels), 30%the retail industry, 25
%the show business(recreation and food & beverages)and 15 %profits were developed in other industries such as transport, tour operators etc.”While we continue to promote location and cultural arts tourism, let’s not mark down the role of other major occasions such as global sporting and modern art events in bring in worldwide travelers into our beloved nation, motivating tourist expenditure and job developments,”he added.
Leave a Reply