Tourism Malaysia embark first sales mission to reconnect Thailand

By Linda Khoo Hui Li

BANGKOK, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Tourism Malaysia's first sales mission to Thailand is expected to help reconnect with the Thai market to support sustainable recovery in the tourism sector after the COVID-19 hiatus.

The sales mission led by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri in two major cities, Bangkok and southern province of Songkhla, began on Monday and wraps up today. Malaysia’s tourism fraternity which consists of Malaysia-based airlines, travel agents, hoteliers and product owners.

Nancy said the sales mission would offer insights on Malaysia’s latest tourist attractions and future developments as well as making new contacts with the tourism industry players in Thailand.

“We hope it (sales mission) will create new partnerships to attract more Thais to choose Malaysia as their vacation destination… We are not only close to each other as neighbouring countries, but Malaysia also a value-for-money destination.

“This is an excellent opportunity for us not only to reconnect, but to also reinvigorate the tourism industry together as we look forward to a sustainable recovery, especially in the ASEAN region,” she said at the networking dinner in conjunction with sales mission to Thailand here on Thursday night.

Also present Tourism Malaysia Director-General Datuk Zainuddin Abdul Wahab and Malaysian Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel.

Thailand is one of Malaysia’s essential short-haul markets. In 2019, Malaysia welcomed 1,884,306 arrivals from Thailand and almost 70 per cent of Thais tourists were repeat travellers. Thai travellers come to Malaysia for holiday, shopping, and to visit friends and relatives.

Nancy said the most visited states by Thais include the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Pahang. Nancy said Malaysia aims to attract 800,000 Thai tourists this year.

“We want to see the Thais reach the top in tourist arrival numbers in Malaysia. At present, Thailand ranks second, after Singapore.

“After two-year COVID hiatus, we are offering new products and services to meet new travel demand especially among Thais. For example, many Thais may have not been to the two Malaysian Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak. Thus, we hope to attract more international travellers to explore Sabah and Sarawak,” she said.

Nancy said the tourism industry has been a significant contributor to the economy in Malaysia. In 2019, tourism contributed 15.9 per cent to Malaysia's economy and supported 3.6 million jobs, which made up 23.6 per cent of the total workforce in the country.

-- BERNAMA