THE Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is targeting 30 million tourist arrivals in Malaysia by 2020.
Its Deputy Minister Muhammad Bakthiar Wan Chik said this influx of tourists would increase the sector’s contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 15.1% , from the 14.9% through 26.1 million tourist arrivals last year.
“We are now asking for more budget for tourism promotion because it is key to the sustainability of the tourism industry itself, ” he told reporters after the flag-off ceremony of the 2018 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Penang this morning.
The event which began and ended at Vouk Hotel Suites would benefit the patients of Penang Hospice Society.
He said with the allocation, the ministry would be able to promote tourism to a wider audience
“We are now getting stiff competition from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and also Singapore in this industry. So we have to strengthen our promotion and hope Malaysians themselves take part in boosting domestic tourism,” he said.
Muhammad Bakthiar added the ministry was working with the Education Ministry to introduce staggered school holiday breaks according to states, to distribute the domestic tourist load.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Alissala Thian.