Our tourism sector enjoyed a successful 2009, despite the H1N1 outbreak and global economic crisis. Encouragingly, the number of foreign visitors coming to Malaysia last year was about 24 million, a rise of about 7% compared to 2008, and Malaysia won seven regional World Travel Awards. It was also encouraging to see our country feature in Lonely Planet's list of top 10 destinations to visit in 2010.
I believe that people visiting for the first time this year will like what they experience: a one Malaysia of different peoples, customs, traditions and languages, all united under one flag. Tourism Malaysia's Truly Asia tagline is truly fitting, therefore. Our rich cultural diversity means that we offer exciting gastronomic experiences, places of worship for all faiths, buildings intact from the pages of history in places such as George Town and Melaka, and festivals with unforgettable images.
Our natural landscape is also diverse: from the gentle tea-producing Cameron Highlands to the untamed Taman Negara (the oldest tropical rainforest in the world), and from the corals of Sipadan Island to the lush views of Mulu, we are blessed with a wonderful country. Indeed, the majority of you who voted in the recent 1malaysia.com.my tourism poll decided that Malaysia would benefit most of all from eco-tourism.
To build on last year's success, we will allocate RM899 million to tourism under the 2010 budget.We will continue to strengthen different areas of tourism, in particular eco-tourism, agro-tourism and health tourism.
Major new initiatives will include a drive to attract more participants from countries such as China and India to the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme; upgrading the quality of infrastructure in tourism centres; and having those serving on the front line being friendly yet courteous Malaysians; promoting tourism activities online; and providing more attractive tourism products and events.
In terms of new products and events, for example, luxury shoppers will be interested to know that an exciting new premium factory outlet, Johor Premium Outlet, will open its doors in 2011. Visitors to our capital, Kuala Lumpur, will meanwhile be able to participate in the 1Malaysia Lantern Festival, now to be celebrated annually. There will be many more tourism developments, but I would be interested for now in your thoughts.
Tourism acts not only as a source of income for our country but is a showcase of our diversity and unity. It brings us together. I am very proud of our diverse cultural backgrounds and all of us Malaysians, must build upon this. As a Malaysian, we should also get to know our neighbouring states better and travel domestically to enjoy the various attractions and splendour we have. I for one will be hoping for a short retreat at a well known local destination hopefully sometime this month.
What other tourism opportunities in Malaysia would you identify? What else can we do to lure tourists and ensure that they have a unique and enjoyable experience? I look forward to your comments on Malaysia's strength as a tourist destination for both our international guests and local residents.
We have recently read in the mainstream news lately about Teluk Yu's 3 dead 23 hospitalized, Kedah several hospitalized and 3 popular picnic location closed and in Johore RM30 million spend on cleaning up river. We were wondering isn't it cheaper and more fruitful to solve the problem if the local government put up signs to inform the public about high fines for littering or throwing things in the river and place enforcement personnel to patrol popular picnic venues and rivers.
This is the only way the non- civic conscious Malaysians will change their bad habit of littering. We are sure this method is by anyway better than the present method of keep on cleaning rivers which cost million of dollars and waiting for somebody to die and than close up the spot to have it clean up.
Mr. Prime Minister, please take some urgent action if not the above before another poor Malaysian die on your watch !!!
Eric Yeap
Project REVIVE
I applaud the recent curb of prostitution in KL Sentral Hotel area. However tonight(26-Jun-2010), I notice that area(used to called Thambipillay) has again bloosom with a lot of illegal gambling and prostitution walking around that area.
I was futhur shock when a pimp approach me while I was eating at White Coffee restaurant and he futhur boast that he has many nice prostitute to choose from, ranging from underage malay school girl to indonesia virgin. Out of curiousity, I ask the pimp, don't you scare that police will raid this area again? He just laugh and said they have paid bribe to police and will receive first information when there is a raid and normally giving police bribe, will let them alone???
Therefore I am curious to know your opinion as to how to control this old trade and prevent furthur police bribe. I as a Malaysian feel ashame that our country still has such black sheep to prevent us from growing!
Yours Truthly,
Marcus The frustated.
We believe Terengganu have the potential to be a top tourist destination with its many beautiful islands, kenyir lake, national park to name a few and its many traditional and cultural varieties and its laidback charm which appeals not only to locals but foreigners alike. It is sad to say that it is being undersell and not enough is done by the Tourism Ministry and state governemnt to really develope the state to appeal to the targeted tourist. We don't see much tourist from the Middle East, China and India there. I'm sure with some thought put in jointly by the state governemnt and Ministry of Tourism, Terengganu tourism industry will be booming in no time.
It is an utter shame that the historic Pudu jail building will be demolished completely to make way for roads and new buidlings. This jail is part of our history and could be a boon for tourism if even part of the building was preserved as a museum. When i was in Gotland in Sweden, we even stayed in a prison that had been converted to a mini-hotel/hostel for travellers.
It is so sad for us to lose parts of our history to rampant, unplanned modernisation.
Please see if there is something that can be done to preserve this jail as a museum or memoriam.
Thank you,
sasi
Sebenarnya banyak masalah inap desa yang berlaku. Tetapi perkara ini tidak diketengahkan kerana siapa pengusaha inap desa ini? kebanyakannya adalah orang² kampung yang bekerja sebagai petani, nelayan dan bekerja sendiri dimana suara² mereka kurang didengari. masalah ini timbul dimana inap desa yang melalui orang tengah @ penyelaras yang hanya ingin memenuhkan poket sendiri. saya khuatir inap desa ini akan tinggal nama sahaja disebabkan sikap segelintir penyelaras yang sebegini. sebenarnya ramai peserta inap desa yang menjalankan aktiviti ini melalui penyelaras telah tidak aktif disebabkan rasa tertindas. Jika ingin inap desa ini terus maju, harap tiada lagi penyelaras² yang bersikap tamak & mementigkan poket sendiri.
Ramai blogger memberi pelbagai cadangan, tetapi sebenarnya produk2 agro, eco dsb. telah lama di pasarkan. pergi sahaja ke agensi2 pelancongan, mereka boleh merancang perjalanan.
I am hosting a birthday party at Botani Garden for my godson, this Sunday . I am renting their Anjung which has a nice view. But, I am dissappointed that i could not use their facilities such as chairs and tables which are available. I was made to understand that they are there for internal programs.I tried to reason with the management, however, they could not do much since they are governed by some rules, procedures etc which I find hard to comprehend.
Why can't the park be a one stop centre? and more crowd friendly?
sighhh....i find this such a petty mindboggling issue.
Thank you in advance. :)
But I look forward for a cuppa with you sir. How do we know that we are the chosen one? Thank you.
