Participating in many international Tourism fairs organised in Vietnam, Malaysia sustainably contributes to the development of Malaysia tourism as well as Malaysia-Vietnam tourism cooperation. With the view to providing Vietnam partners and customers with best quality tourism tours as well as various incentives, Malaysia Tourism Board joined with many activities at Vietnam International Tourism Fair 2013 (VITM 2013) organised by Vietnam Tourism Association during April 18-21, in Hanoi. Vietnam Business Forum had an interview with Director of Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board in Vietnam Mohd Akbal Setia. Thu Huyen reports
Could you share with us some highlighted unique aspects of the Malaysian Tourism? What are lessons that Malaysia has learned from the international tourism promotion and particularly from the fact that Malaysia welcomed more than 25 million tourists in 2012?
There are three highlights that make the Malaysian tourism unique.
Firstly, Malaysia is a multi-ethnic country with the majority of the Malay, Chinese and Indian. The combination of different cultures creates a distinctive cultural identity for Malaysia. With a 60 percent Muslim population, the Malaysian Muslim culture always offers interesting experiences for tourists visiting the country. Moreover, Malaysia also possesses a “one-of-a-kind” cuisine as it is the convergence of renowned culinary arts around the world.
Secondly, our country has a wide range of attractive tourist attraction. Coming to Malaysia, visitors can unleash themselves in the journey of discovering the truly Asian charm, from sparkling cities, vast tropical forests, pristine plateaus to stunning beaches.
Finally, the highlight of the Malaysian tourism also come from diverse world-class tourism products, including resort, recreation, adventure tour, shopping ... In particular, Malaysia is currently promoting the development of new products in the fields of medical tourism, educational tourism and M.I.C.E tourism.
How has Malaysia frequently participated in international tourism fair in Vietnam and what are promotion activities of Malaysia at the Vietnam International Travel Mart 2013?
Since the establishment in Vietnam in November 2011, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) has actively joined international tourism fairs in Vietnam. Specifically, the Malaysia annually attends the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE). Through participating in this annual event, we hope to enhance the cooperation between Vietnamese and Malaysian tourism businesses, opportunities to meet, exchange and business cooperation between, while at the same time offering Vietnamese tourists the information related to tourism products in Malaysia.
At the International Tourism Fair (VITM), which was held in Hanoi from 18th - 21st April for the 1st time, Malaysia participated with 6 registered booths to introduce about the tourism products offered by Malaysia, focusing on M.I.C.E tourism. The three Malaysian companies specializing in M.I.C.E tourist cooperated with 6 reputed local travel agents (including Golden Tour, Vietravel, Honggai Tourist, FIDI Tour, Vina Tour and Travel Golden Lotus) to discuss, exchange information and then bring the best tourism products to Vietnamese customers.
Tourism Malaysia also hosted a destination presentation titled "Malaysia – your world class M.I.C.E destination" with the aim of providing Vietnamese governmental organizations, agencies, as well as travel businesses a closer look on the Malaysian M.I.C.E industry.
Also in this year’s event, Tourism Malaysia organized highlighted activities to promote the Malaysian culture. During the 4-day exhibition, Tourism Malaysia’s booths had authentic Malaysian song and dance performances, which were the essence of Malaysia’s culture. In particular, visitors had chance to enjoy artistic Teh Tarik demonstration performed by artists from Malaysia.
All of these activities reflect Malaysia’s efforts in offering Vietnamese people better understanding about Malaysia, as well as world-class tourism products that we can offer.
What will Malaysia offer to Vietnam partners sending groups of delegates for MICE in Malaysia?
For partners that wish to participate in the Malaysia MICE Tourism, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Agency in Vietnam will play a bridging role for asking Promotion Agency Malaysia conference exhibition (MyCEB) for preferential and support. After assessing conditions and standards of the group, MyCEB will inform partners incentives.
For those attending conferences with group of from 150-499 delegates, will be supported with the performances of Malaysia traditional music at Malaysia banquet/dinner, and visits before and after the conference (have conditions attached), Mrs. support program (with attached conditions), traditional welcome program for delegates. Deadline for submission of requests for assistance is at least 45 days before the event.
The group of over 500 is preferred car police escort to the point in the program, the welcome desk at the airport, priority entry procedures and welcome banner.
The group of more than 1000 delegates is supported with RM30.
For companies involved in meetings with a minimum number of 120 guests will be supported first performance of traditional Malaysia music banquet/dinner, celebrate the program's tradition to delegates.
Vietnamese
