Tourism is the sixth largest contributor to Malaysia's economy, thus, strategic deal is vital to meet 30.5 million visitors target and US$24 billion (RM98.1 billion) in tourism receipts in 2016.
Tourism Malaysia had on Wednesday signed a marketing collaboration memorandum with Singapore Airlines (SIA) on boosting tourist arrivals in Malaysia.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had last month said that Tourism Malaysia was banking on a deal with SIA to bring in more European tourists to Malaysia this year.
"It doesn't matter how or which airline the visitors come in as long as they do," he said, when explaining why SIA was chosen to be the partner.
SIA and Tourism Malaysia teamed up to explore and implement activities to promote tourist traffic to Malaysia via the Singapore hub from 14 key inbound markets by way of SIA's and SilkAir's services.
Business Times Singapore reported today the two-year partnership, signed at ITB Berlin 2016 on Wednesday, will take effect from April 1.
"Tourism Malaysia is proud to associate with SIA to provide convenient access to the varied and unique tourist attractions of Malaysia within a short flight from Singapore.
"In particular Borneo (Sabah & Sarawak), Langkawi, Penang and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia," Tourism Malaysia director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab was quoted as saying.
SIA and SilkAir currently operate 111 flights per week to five destinations in Malaysia from Singapore, the report said. – Bernama, March 10, 2016.
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