Malaysia launches new promotional campaign

Visit Malaysia Year 2020 promotion campaign was officially launched in conjunction with ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2018 at Chiang Mai, Thailand. Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz launched the Visit Malaysia 2020 promotion campaign for the first time at the ASEAN Tourism Forum. He also took the opportunity to unveil the official logo of Visit Malaysia 2020, a colourful portrayal of Malaysia’s treasured flora and fauna.

The event was held during a business lunch hosted for international tourism trade buyers and media attending the forum at the Chiang Mai International Convention Centre (CMECC).

“These next two years are a crucial period for our country’s tourism – they are the lead up to the much-anticipated Visit Malaysia 2020. By then, we expect to welcome some 36 million tourists to our shores with tourist receipts reaching RM168 billion,” said YB Dato’ Seri Nazri.

Visit Malaysia 2020 is a landmark initiative that has received the support and endorsement of the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2017. It is a key development towards the realization of the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan goals that by the year 2020, Malaysia will welcome a total of 36 million tourists and register RM168 billion in tourist receipts. The initiative not only aims to rally all industry players towards this common goal, but is a call to welcome tourists from all over the world to experience Malaysia’s warm hospitality and diverse tourist attractions. The campaign will be aligned with World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)’s “Travel.Enjoy.Respect” movement launched in August 2017 which calls for tourists to become a catalyst for positive change towards a better future.

The Minister is confident of the success of the campaign, saying that Malaysia’s tourism industry is growing stronger. He cited tourism investments in Malaysia such as international hotel brands Four Seasons, Movenpick, W Hotels by Starwood and DoubleTree by Hilton being made within the next two years, amounting to close to 1,000 rooms.

In addition, new attractions are also being launched to provide tourists more choices of attractions. Desaru Coast, a premium integrated destination resort combining accommodation, golf, theme park, convention centre, leisure, retail and F&B, is expected to open by June this year. It will be bringing in hotel brands such as The Westin, Anantara and Hard Rock Hotel.

Acknowledging the importance of connectivity to facilitate travel, Dato’ Seri Nazri said that the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Tourism Malaysia are focusing on increasing accessibility to Malaysia via various airline partnerships for scheduled and charter flights. The Malaysian Government has special incentives for this purpose and Tourism Malaysia is using this to attract international airlines to fly Malaysian routes.

“In the context of ASEAN tourism, Visit Malaysia 2020 also brings with it the opportunity to cross-sell and re-market the region to tourists who are visiting Malaysia. There are ample opportunities for industry stakeholders across the region to work together and benefit as a whole,” he added. The minister urged ASEAN industry players to work together to create a seamless and unforgettable experience for tourists when they visit ASEAN as a single yet multifarious travel destination.

In conjunction with this, the Minister presented recognition awards to ten organisations in appreciation for their support and promotion of Malaysia as a holiday destination for Thais. The recipients were Global Union Express, Roong A-Nan Tour, Ruby Travel, Sawasdee 5 Stars Tour, Tussanapachuen Tour, U-Best Station, Erawan P.U.C. Tour, the Council of Chiangmai Muslim Women Thailand, the Association of News Reporters of the North (Amnaj Jongyotying) and North Daily Newspaper (Pongpan Jongyotying). They were each presented with a special plaque in appreciation of their outstanding contribution and commitment to promoting Malaysia.