We can do more to attract tourist arrivals

THE long December holidays is just a few months away. Just because we don’t have a tourism minister does not mean that we have to let go of opportunities to promote the country.

Tourism Malaysia should leverage on the hype of May 9, when the world saw a smooth transition of power from the old to the new regime. The National Museum could curate an exhibition to attract foreign tourists who want to know what Malaysians did that brought about a change of government after 61 years under Barisan Nasional.

The Bersih movement, for exam ple, should use this opportunity to promote unity among people from all walks of life, races, religions and political viewpoints to celebrate people power. The event can be turned into a carnival to attract tourists and promote racial and religious harmony in the country.

Tourism Malaysia should be thinking about promoting Malaysia as the preferred destination for tourists from Europe, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Asean and the Far East.

The Americans and Europeans want to get away from their cold winter climate, while Australian kids want to venture out to the tropics. This is the time to promote edutourism for students.

Tourism Malaysia should also promote a “Jom Shopping Spree” to coincide with the major education fairs in the federal capital. This would attract potential students from the region to visit the country with their family members.

While the students check out higher education institutions, the families can enjoy a shopping spree. Jom Shopping carnivals should coincide with major events to attract families to travel to Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia should also promote homestay in the country to allow foreigners to experience living in a kampung setting. Such experiences, especially in rural Sarawak villages, are particularly unique.

Malaysia has a lot of room to expand in tourism. For that reason, Tourism Malaysia should spend money on rebranding Malaysia as a paradise holiday destination with all sorts of gastronomical delights and whole range from traditional to modern experiences.