NAJIB: CHEAPER RINGGIT A BOOST FOR TOURISM
> Cheaper now to visit Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s current exchange rates could be used as one of the “selling points” to boost the tourism industry in the country, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
He said several untoward incidents last year and earlier this year had caused a decline of inbound tourists which had affected the industry.
“What are our tourism fundamentals? They are basically our key strengths that remain appealing to tourists if they are well projected, well marketed and presented to all our existing and potential markets,” he said.
“Our renowned Malaysian hospitality and culture of friendliness, our rich natural heritage, our cultural diversity, and of course now more than ever, the value for money that foreign tourists will experience in Malaysia compared with many other destinations because of the exchange rates.
“All of these are still huge selling points that need to be amplified and communicated across all channels to drive up tourism numbers.”
Najib said this in his speech during the “An Hour with the Prime Minister on Malaysia Inbound Tourism” event at Putra World Trade Centre, here yesterday.
In his speech, Najib also called for the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents and its members to play their role to help project the truth about the country to the market abroad.
“This is so that misconceptions and negative views grounded in falsehood – especially as spread through social media – can be corrected and tourists are not put off from visiting our country,” he said.
In making it easier for certain categories of tourists to enter the country, Najib said several issues must be revised such as the visa-on-arrival and visa fees.
“All of these issues must be dealt with. The Cabinet Committee on Tourism can reconvene soon to tackle the cross-ministerial issues that need to be resolved,” he said.
“But in the meantime, the industry itself must believe in Malaysia’s tourism fundamentals and must in its own way market those fundamentals to help boost the industry.”
Najib said the Tourism and Culture Ministry has reported a drop in the first quarter of 2015 by 8.6% of tourists arrivals compared with the same time last year.