Malaysia launches VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2014
Bukit Jalil : Malaysia is targeting to receive 28 million in foreign tourist arrivals during the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak said this target is achievable by enhancing the growth momentum of the country’s tourism industry through the VMY 2014 promotional campaign. The campaign, which runs for one year, not only promotes Malaysia on an international level but also highlights various pro-active initiatives by the Ministry of Tourism to ensure Malaysians understand the economic benefits of a successful VMY 2014.
The Prime Minister said this during the launch of the VMY 2014 Promotional Campaign Carnival at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on January 19, 2013.
The theme song for VMY 2014, Celebrating 1Malaysia…Truly Asia, also made its debut to the public at the event. The theme song will be used worldwide for the VMY 2014 promotion.
Additionally, a three-day tourism carnival was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia from 18 to 20 January in conjunction with the launch of the VMY 2014 promotional campaign.
Tourism related industry has employed almost 2.0 million persons in 2011. In 2011, Malaysia received 24.7 million tourists, a huge increase compared to the 7 million tourists recorded in 1999.
Tourism industry is the third largest contributor to foreign exchange earnings with tourist receipts of RM58.3 billion in 2011. This translates to tourism revenue of RM4.85 billion each month, RM1.12 billion a week, RM160 million each day and RM6.6 million each hour.
The industry has been identified as a national key economic area (NKEA) with potential to generate high revenue for the country. A total of 12 entry point projects have been identified under the Tourism NKEA to develop the industry further until 2020 and create half a million job opportunities to Malaysians.
By 2020, Malaysia’s tourism industry is expected to attract 36 million tourists and record RM168 billion tourist receipts. -Tourism Malaysia
