There was a 4.7 percent decline in arrivals from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia in 2008 as against a year earlier, and in view of that various steps are being taken and new programs introduced to increase tourism from the Kingdom and the region, according to Deputy Minister of Tourism Dato Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib. In an interview in Kuala Lumpur before the official inauguration of the Colors of Malaysia celebration by King of Malaysia Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Merdeka Square, Taib told Saudi Gazette that in 2008, there were 78,298 arrivals, which figure “slumped slightly” (3,666) to 74,632. Taib explained that the idea is to attract Saudis throughout the year. Besides homestay, other programs include creating an environment during Ramadan that is prevalent in the Kingdom and other Arab countries – activities at night, and hotels allowed to remain open till after suhoor (early morning meal before beginning the fast). “Encouraging and attracting tourists to get married Malaysian style is another program,” he said. Dato Amiruddin Abu, Acting Director General, Tourism Malaysia, said, “To promote Ramadan arrivals, we would also bring imams (prayer leaders) from Saudi Arabia.” Travel agent representatives from Saudi Arabia for the Mega Familiarization Program of Malaysia Tourism said they had seen and learnt a lot from the trip organized by Malaysia Tourism, and arranged by Ash-Har Travel and Tours of Kuala Lumpur. The participating hotels in Kuala Lumpur were the Sheraton Imperial, and Hotel Impiana. While in Kuantan, it was Holiday Villa, on the white sandy Cherating beach, which is wholly Malaysian-owned and has branches, besides Malaysia, in Doha, Sudan, the UK, Indonesia, Australia, Cambodia, and China. They said the experience will help promote Malaysia in the Saudi market. “I expect to prepare at least 150 packages on return,” said Abdullah M. Alsalek of MFK Travel. Ibrahim Makkawi of Malaysia Airlines, said in the last 10 years he had seen 30 percent to 40 percent increase in traffic to Malaysia. “I target 30 percent increase during the year,” he said. Mohammed Al Ali (Lingo), said that being a new company, the packages sold are just three a month, “but this will be history, because the geography that I have seen, will certainly promote many more.”
