Malaysia aims to breach the 28-million mark for tourist arrivals in 2014. This was outlined by the Prime Minister in his opening remarks at the launch of the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 held at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil recently.
“We should regard it as a national mission,” he said. Thus the role of promoting Malaysia is not the sole responsibility of people in the industry alone but everyone from the immigration and customs officers at the entry points to taxi drivers, hotel workers, the business community and ordinary Malaysians.
The PM felt that no amount of promotion will suffice if the perception by tourists is one of negativity. “We can have many promotions but the experience visitors take home is important. If they are happy with what they see they will remember it forever. That’s the best form of promotion,” he said.
At the launch, the campaign’s theme song, “Celebrating 1Malaysia, Truly Asia” was sung by Malaysia’s rock queen, Ella. The song will be used worldwide to promote VMY 2014.
Regarding the 36-million tourist arrivals targeted before 2020, the number is achievable provided everyone plays their role. The PM’s transformational programmes will see to it.
RM
