TOURISM Malaysia will be attending the Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) to spotlight the country’s offerings for the rapidly increasing number of Saudi Arabian visitors.
In fact, according to the tourism authority, the capital city is the source of many of the country’s Saudi visitors whose numbers reached 86,771 in 2010, a rise of 12.6 per cent on the previous year.
Energised by these positive factors, Tourism Malaysia‘s Jeddah office continues to aggressively promote the destination with its participation for the second time at the RTF with its stand including an iconic Malaysian image of the Petronas Twin Towers.
Tourism Malaysia spokesman, Shamshul Mohamed Hassan Al Yafie, said: “To enhance our promotion, we will be inviting two special speakers who specialise in angling and diving in Malaysia to give presentations at our stand during the fair. This time Tourism Malaysia wanted to promote special interest packages such as islands/beaches, snorkelling, diving, angling, yachting and sea excursions.
“Also Malaysia Airlines and one of the best travel agent in Riyadh will be joining Tourism Malaysia on our stand to promote Malaysia by introducing special packages with great prices.”
For the 2011 summer period the ministry has introduced a new programme called ‘Feel at Home’ specifically aimed at Middle Eastern visitors.
Al Yafie explained: “This is specially planned to accommodate our Arab brothers and sisters during their stay in Malaysia so that they can have a happy and enjoyable time. In this programme, several facilities have already been introduced to accommodate Saudi and Middle Eastern tourists. We have dedicated a section of Kuala Lumpur city, Arab Street, to our Middle Eastern guests showcasing various Arab and Middle Eastern foods etc.
“As soon as Arab tourists touch down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), they will be hearing announcements in Arabic while at the same time they will see many signages written in Arabic throughout the airport to give information and direction to passengers.
“Furthermore, during the summer holidays, Arabic-speaking staff will be employed at the airport, hotels, tour companies and shopping malls as well as major restaurants to facilitate our Arab visitors. More hotels and restaurant are now serving Arabic food and some of them have brought over chefs from the Middle East to prepare the dishes.”