BERLIN, March 11 – White sandy beaches, warm and sunny climate all-year round and a hospitable environment. With such varied but picturesque landscapes, among others, Malaysia’s irresistible offerings are after the heart of European holidaymakers.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab(Pic) said he had discerned a “new trend” among Europeans who, having visited the same beaches of southern European countries and the Mediterranean, were now eager to explore new destinations with different cultures and traditions.
He told Bernama this on the sidelines of Malaysia’s participation at the International Tourism Exchange of Berlin, billed the world’s largest travel trade fair, where Tourism Malaysia strongly promoted Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014.
“Visit Malaysia Year 2014 was announced some months back but we’re now announcing it here to the world before a public that has very strong awareness of global markets,” Mirza said at the Malaysian pavilion set up at the tourism show.
He noted that Germany was one of Malaysia’s major markets, with about 131,000 German tourists visiting the Southeast Asian country last year. Malaysia Airlines operates five flights a week to Frankfurt, besides the four weekly flights that Lufthansa operates to Kuala Lumpur via Bangkok.
Mirza said the introduction of the new A380 aircraft by the Malaysian carrier, with much larger seating capacity, would accommodate larger number of travellers and also push tourism traffic to Malaysia. He also alluded to a recent survey naming Malaysia as one of the eight best destinations for retirees.
“Retirees will find Malaysia an attractive destination because it offers the benefits of a modern healthcare system, affordable housing and other living requisites. Equally important is the fact that senior citizens are treated with great respect by Malaysians,” noted the director-general.
Malaysia also organised a gala dinner Thursday night where guests included travel and tour operators, friends of Malaysia and Malaysians living in Germany. A pre-recorded televised message from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was played at the event, inviting those present and others to visit Malaysia located in the heart of Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Ambassador to Berlin Datuk Ibrahim Abdullah said, this was Malaysia’s 39th year of participation at the Berlin ITB show. Describing Malaysia as a “place where luxury is affordable”, he also pointed out that its capital, Kuala Lumpur, was ranked the fourth best shopping city in the world by CNN Travel.
BERNAMA
