November 21, 2009 10:51 AM

Chongqing A Target For MICE Events In Malaysia - Ng Yen Yen

From Choi Wen Feei

CHONGQING, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is eyeing China's heavily-industrialised municipality of Chongqing as a new target to promote its MICE (meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibition) facilities.

The south central municipality with a population of 31.5 million and home to many multinational companies held great potentials, said Malaysia's Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

"I believe that through the assistance from the Chongqing municipal government, we can get to know more about the entrepreneurs here and this will enable us to discuss with them about holding MICE events in Malaysia," Ng said after calling on Chongqing vice-mayor Zhou Mubing on Friday.

Ng, who is on a 12-day working trip to China, said Tourism Malaysia was pushing for direct flights between Malaysia to Chongqing to increase the flow of tourists to Malaysia.

"The Tourism Ministry has already discussed with Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia on the possibility of introducing direct flights to Chongqing and it is still under consideration. I hope both airlines will be able to do so by next year," she added.

She also proposed a bilateral tourism investment forum to create a platform for investors from both sides to explore investment potentials such as in the spa as well as in the food and beverage industries.

Meanwhile, Zhou said the municipal government would work together with Tourism Malaysia to increase tourist flow between Chongqing and Malaysia.

He said Chongqing had a wide range of attractions but they lacked promotion.

Despite the global economic crisis, the number of Malaysians visiting here was encouraging, he added.

Last year, nearly 20,000 Malaysians visited the city while the number between January to October this year was 18,300.

"Through our collaboration in promoting bilateral tourism, I believe the number of Chongqing tourists visiting Malaysia and vice versa can be further increased," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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