Setting
the tone: Dr Ng taking part in the 1M4U dance with the public during
the mini carnival at the Queensbay Mall outdoor car park in George Town.
GEORGE
TOWN: Although 2014 may be a year away, the Tourism Ministry is wasting
no time in making early preparations to woo the targeted 28 million
tourists.
Besides a grand tourism carnival to create awareness in the public and private sectors, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said her ministry would also reintroduce the salam gesture to welcome visitors to the country.
“It’s symbolic and let’s try to make it a natural habit for everyone,” she said.
The gesture requires one to put his right hand over the left collarbone as a courtesy greeting.
Dr Ng said people should understand that Visit Malaysia Year 2014 was good for the economy as it would generate income for the nation.
“It (tourism) is our third largest foreign exchange earner and generates 1.8 million jobs.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19
: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said, the Visit Malaysia
Year 2014 must be turned into a national mission involving all parties,
including the people, in order to achieve the target of receiving 28
visitors for the year.
The Prime
Minister said the government project not only involved the Ministry of
Tourism but every ministry, agency and state government, to ensure its
success.
“All
of us have a role to play to make Visit Malaysia Year 2014 a success.
From the entry point, Immigration officers who stamp the tourists,
passports, Customs officers, taxi drivers, hotel staff, business people,
tour operators and the Malaysian people.
“We must
show our warm welcome. We must give them the feeling that if they visit
Malaysia, they will be treated with warmth and courtesy from all of us.
“So we not
only need the physical infrastructure but soft infrastructure as well,
which is, Malaysians who are always cheerful, courteous and helpful so
that visitors experience a truly memorable time here. This is the
meaningful impact we want,” he said while launching the Visit Malaysia
Year 2014 campaign, here Saturday night.
Also
present were the Prime Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor,
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Information Communication and
Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and wife Datin Seri Masnah
Rais and Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and
his wife.
Najib said
Malaysia has its own unique features which are not found elsewhere,
among them its fauna and flora, among the best ecosystem in the world,
cosmopolitan cities, fourth best location in the world for shopping and
more.
“Malay,
Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, Orang Asli and other cultures can all be
experienced here. These are Malaysia’s selling-points, which other
countries cannot compete with. “Furthermore, the peace and stability
here makes our country very attractive as a travel destination,” he
said.
He also said the government would continue encouraging the tourism industry which is targeting 36 million visitors by 2020.
