Tourism still second largest forex earner
KUALA LUMPUR: The tourism sector has maintained its position as the second largest foreign exchange earner for Malaysia, after manufacturing, and hopes to do better this year, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that tourism had been Malaysia second largest earner since 2000 with RM17.3 billion before it increased to RM36.27 billion last year. “2006 saw a 6.8 per cent growth rate in tourist arrivals with a 13.5 per cent increase in receipts. In terms of employment, it is estimated that the industry accounts for a remarkable 1,344,000 jobs of which 492,320 are direct employment.
“This year being Visit Malaysia Year and the 50th anniversary of our nationhood, we hope to do even better,” he said in his opening speech at the Third World Tourism Conference yesterday. The three-day World Tourism Conference were attended by 826 participants from 72 countries. It covers four key areas of tourism— sustainable growth, marketing, product development and privatepublic sector partnerships. Present were secretary-general of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Francesco Frangialli, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and tourism ministers from several countries.
Najib said Malaysia had set a target of RM20.1 million tourist arrivals with expected tourism revenue of RM40.5 billion this year. “It is indeed quite a challenge but I believe that it is a target we will be able to achieve,” he added. Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony, Tengku Adnan said that as of May 10 this year, 8.9 million tourist arrivals had been recorded with an average of two million monthly. “We are on track to achieve the target,” he said.
Bernama
The Deputy Prime Minister said that tourism had been Malaysia second largest earner since 2000 with RM17.3 billion before it increased to RM36.27 billion last year. “2006 saw a 6.8 per cent growth rate in tourist arrivals with a 13.5 per cent increase in receipts. In terms of employment, it is estimated that the industry accounts for a remarkable 1,344,000 jobs of which 492,320 are direct employment.
“This year being Visit Malaysia Year and the 50th anniversary of our nationhood, we hope to do even better,” he said in his opening speech at the Third World Tourism Conference yesterday. The three-day World Tourism Conference were attended by 826 participants from 72 countries. It covers four key areas of tourism— sustainable growth, marketing, product development and privatepublic sector partnerships. Present were secretary-general of the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Francesco Frangialli, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and tourism ministers from several countries.
Najib said Malaysia had set a target of RM20.1 million tourist arrivals with expected tourism revenue of RM40.5 billion this year. “It is indeed quite a challenge but I believe that it is a target we will be able to achieve,” he added. Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony, Tengku Adnan said that as of May 10 this year, 8.9 million tourist arrivals had been recorded with an average of two million monthly. “We are on track to achieve the target,” he said.
Bernama
No comments:
Post a Comment