Sunday, January 10, 2010

Malaysia projected to attract 23.5 million tourists in 2009

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is projected to attract 23.5 million tourists in 2009, generating about RM51 billion in tourism receipts despite lower projection in international tourist arrivals worldwide for the year.

“Last year was indeed a challenging year for many countries,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in his speech at the Malaysia Tourism Awards 2008/2009 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, here last night.

The text of his speech was read by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Najib had cited The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which forecasted a five per cent decline in international tourist arrivals worldwide for the full year 2009 compared to 2008.

“However, Malaysia has shown its resilience in facing such odds by actually recording growth in tourist arrivals,” he said.

In fact, the targeted 19 million international tourist arrivals forecasted for 2009 was well achieved by October, he added.

He noted that the country registered a mere 5.5 million tourist arrivals in 1998, contributing some RM8.5 billion in receipts.

“It seems the crisis has reinforced commitments for closer collaboration among industry players and spurred the tourism industry players to innovate and sustain tourism growth.

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