Malaysia Tourism
Malaysia keen on luring more US travelers amid challenges
HONOLULU - (eTN) - Hawaii is a tourism success, which made it an ideal US destination for a high-level delegation of Malaysian tourism officials, headed by Malaysian Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said, to visit. Along with the goal of promoting Malaysia to US travelers, the Malaysian delegation was keen on studying the elements behind Hawaii’s success because of the two destinations’ shared characteristics.
Malaysia’s tourism chief said, “I think Malaysia and Hawaii are both very exotic, and the weather’s kind of the same. Both destinations are known for its friendly and warm people, its beautiful setting, relaxing weather and its great hospitality.”
According to Minister Said, she was in the United States to see in person the tourism products and get a more in-depth glimpse of the American people. “My hope is to bring awareness to American travelers about our exotic and multi-cultural country, which is at once both very similar and yet very different from the US,” she said. “We’re looking to continue to promote Malaysia to become a top-of-mind destination for American travelers.”
The minister admitted that she is mindful of Malaysia’s challenges in luring US travelers. She names the fact that Malaysia, for US travelers, is a long-haul destination. “We are just too far,” said the former television talk-show host turned politician.
On Malaysia’s challenges, she also said, “Malaysia is a country that practices Islam, although our people also practice Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and other religions openly. We are a very moderate Muslim country with very warm and friendly people and are accustomed to a mix of different people from all varieties of ethnicities, religions and cultures.”
Minister Said also feels that Malaysia, being that it is a country that is not as well-known as some of its neighbors, is a challenge. “However, we hope to change this as we are a great soft-landing for American travelers, since English is widely spoken; there’s a spectrum of different sites, events and activities for visitors; and Malaysia is a great value-for-money destination.”
As far as the skyrocketing cost of fuel is concerned, Minister Said stated, “It’s true that rising fuel prices will probably impact the price of flight tickets. However, Malaysia maintains a favorable exchange rate to the American dollar, with around 3.2 ringgits to US$1. Travelers can enjoy luxurious service at top-of-the-line hotels for $100-$200 a night, even during peak season. In Malaysia, American travelers can really go a long way with each dollar.”
The aforementioned challenges notwithstanding, Minister Said also recognized that Malaysia’s main problem with America is that Malaysia has not advertised enough. “I don’t think so it is any other issue, but I believe that if we want more Americans to come, we have to spend. We have got a lot of American products here, but it doesn’t work on that basis. China, for example, they have invested a lot to get… and I think a lot of Americans are going to China. And in China, you don’t need a visa to come to America. Malaysians still need a visa to go to America. You don’t need a visa from Japan, from Korea, from China, but you need a visa from our country. So that also indirectly or directly does also give a kind of perception.”
As far as her being assigned as the country’s tourism chief, Minister Said explained, “I think what the prime minister [Abdullah Ahmad Badawi] wanted was more younger [people] to keep on the younger market – the baby boomers – and the creativity of selling Malaysia. We go into ecotourism, and, you know, young professionals, educated young people are more into [the] environment, and these are issues that we are looking into for the government, number one; and number two, I think we are also taking into account a lot of young Malaysians were educated abroad; family and friends and marriages, a few friends in every part of the world. So this is the generation that has to sell what Malaysia is all about.”
Aside from year-round events celebrating the many facets that comprise Malaysia’s dynamic culture, up next for Malaysia is next month’s mega Independence Day celebrations.
Comments
I don't understand this new attitude that the Malaysian people have recently adopted. Can someone give us some more explicit reasons on this matter?
I visited Malaysia for the first time in Feb 08. I have to say this was the best vacation I have ever had. I flew Malaysian Airlines(MAS).. TOP NOTCH! Food was fantastic and the crew was nothing less than superb! Higly recommend MAS for your travels to Malaysia. The flight is long there is no doubt about that. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes and do not forget to get up and walk around.
Once you get there and want to travel between West and East Malaysia, AirAsia is also a great choice. Very cheap to transit between the two.
My stay included 10 days at Holiday Inn Resort Damai Beach right outside of Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Singapore. Almost everyone in all my destinations above spoke English. The rate exchange is very nice. You can have dinner for under 3 USD! This of course is outside of the hotel. Iced drinks are not common but the people are happy to serve your drinks with ice. Just ask. If you are looking for a place to go for Rest and Relaxtion...this is a very good place to include in your destination list. I would suggest that you go for at least three weeks since the flight is so long. You will want to see all that you can while you are there. Nature at it's best. The rainforest etc.
Happy travels....I cant wait to go back!
I, for one, am glad to see Malaysia making steps to get out there and promote themselves. I had several friends from Malaysia growing up and finally got to go visit last year. Visited KL, Putrajaya, Malacca and Borneo-side in Sabah and Sarawak.
I don't know about the comment about eco-tourism being "dead"...seemed pretty alive to me. I saw a whole bunch of orangutans live (and upclose!) at the semenggoh reserve and I'll be relishing the feeling I had going through the rainforest on the Lemanak River on those Iban longboats.
I've been to other parts of Asia (mostly to China though), and I have to say..people are way friendlier in Malaysia than any of the other places I've gone to. Love the Petronas Towers, LOVED the food, and I'd definitely want to go back. I'm surprised by some of comments about safety or treatment in the country...I've lived in LA and NY and visited places like Beijing, Shanghai, HK and more...KL's definitely safer and nicer. At least it was to me.
Anyways, I must point out that visa are required for Chinese visitors to the US, right? It was nice visiting Malaysia b/c you don't need a visa, unlike some other countries. The flight is pretty long though, so I would think that's their main hurdle in getting people to actually come to the country.
Interesting idea of visiting Malaysia. once done 2006 for Sipidan diving. reef destruction rampant by bomb fishing. Ecotourism in Borneo is dead. very small swaths connect some larger preserves but Palm Oil and latex plantatations are the new ecotourist sites. City folk don't know what a tropical forest is supposed to be.
Middle eastern culture is dominant. Civic buildings are celebrated in Arabic and not Malay. Malaysian culture is dead except for some outer areas. Malaysia is losing its tolerance for other peoples.
the world changes and so is Malaysia.
We should not assume that every Government visit overseas is a waste of time, there is no shame in wanting to learn from someone who is better. However, it is true as Robin says, we have some cleaning up to do. We have to solve the taxi problem, they rarely use their meters and Malaysia needs more attractive new tourist products urgently.
Minister Said, do all you can to lure tourists to beautiful Malaysia. Visit Europe with the same message. I have lived and worked in Asia for 40 years and have invested in your wonderful country. Friendly, smiling, helpful people and food to die for. This is so what visitors want as well as exotic locations. I draw your attention to the need of the Malaysian Govt. to do all that it can to improve sailing/marina activities in your country. Malaysia's waterways are some of the finest in the world. Am heartened that sailing courses are now being offered to the youth. One day Malaysia will have an Olympic champion team. All it takes is THE DREAM, committed sponsors and a Govt. that will back water/leisure tourism activities to the full. Remember people don't just come via plane, they also visit in their yachts.
There is a famed saying in Malaysia for Politicians and Civil Servants going in large or small numbers in jaunts to other countries about toilet usage in other countries, belly dancing in sertain countries, etc under the norme de plume - "LAWATAN SAMBIL BELAJAR"
Essentially it means " TRAVEL AND STUDY" and is an excuse for a host of politicians of every ilk and civil servants of recognisable ranks to go in huge numbers to visit the world at public expense. The average Malaysian at the bottom of the heap of all races who make up about 90% of the population cannot dream of such jaunts.
It would be interesting to knowhow many cronies and sycophants had joined Mrs Said on this trip to entice - at long last - the Americans to visit Malaysia and visit the Detention camps where people who do not support the cronies in power are locked up for years on end without the right to legal recource. That frightened is the Government in power and its cronies that the only law that is now validly used in Malaysia is the ISA - the dreaded draconoan detention Act which was bequethed by the British before they washed their handss off Malaya and Singapore in 1957.
They do have a Tourism Malaysia in Los Angeles. Contact the Malaysian Consulate in Los Angeles and they will provide you with all the details.
A well written article. The government web site is very good. What I do not see is a West Coast (USA) marketing office. As California residents & travel agents should be prime targets for promoting tourists to Malaysia, having a regional office here with field representation should be considered. I would be happy to discuss this thought with Minister Said further, perhaps in person.
This message is to go to Minister Said:
I am a travel agent and I belong to an organization namely TPOC, which is Travel Professionals of Color.I am the Vice President of the New York Chapter. If you want to know about the organization look at www.tpoc.org. A few months ago, we in the NY chapter had a meeting in Manhattan. We invited the Malaysian Tourist Board, to a suppliers night that we were having. At first they were enthused and then they canceled out a few days before. We very much want to connect with the Malaysian tourist Board as we are interested in traveling there. Could someone connect with us here in NY reference coming to out meeting in September 2008. My email address is gigi799@aol.com at GI-GI TRAVEL AGENCY, located in Brooklyn NY.
If you are interested in business we would like to give you some.
Thank you
Gloria Goodwin
GI-GI TRAVEL 718-778-8500
Anchorage, Alaska.
She might convince our Eskimos to Visit
Malaysia 2008 !
Its always good to spend taxpayers money
instead of her own for a fun free vacation in Hawaii. Maybe you should consider joining Tourism Malaysia and quit your day time job.
Ms Said next destination will be Anchorage,Alaska ! Maybe she will convince some Eskimos to visit Malaysia.
Maybe she should realize that Kuala Lumpur is not as safe as it used to be. Even your luggage is not safe when they arrive Kuala
Lumpur International Airport (also known as KLIA) - its a known fact that things disappeared from your luggage when they get to KLIA. Beef up the security first and we can talk Tourism to Malaysia.
Well done Tourism Malaysia by sending its Minister Said and her delegation to visit Hawaii. How many thousands of Ringgit have gone wasted? as am a bit confused on the excuse to go to Hawaii just to lure US tourists to come to Malaysia? What's next on your itinerary Ms. Said? Go and keep on using people's money to pay for your holiday... the Malaysians have been waiting to have a minister like you!
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