FRENCH tourists travelling overseas for holidays spent an estimated 300 million Euros (about RM 1.4 billion) annually, and Malaysia is eyeing a big chunk of these tourism dollars from France.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing recently signed deals with two leading French travel companies - Asia Voyages and CFA Voyages - to help attract French travellers to come visit Malaysia.
"I have signed agreements with them to promote Malaysia in France and Europe. I also invited Asia Voyages and CFA Voyages to encourage them to send their people to visit Malaysia.
"We want to let them see for themselves the many attractions our country and people have to offer.
"Asia Voyages have figures that show the French travellers can generate a total spending power of up to 300 million Euros in their annual holidays overseas," said Tiong.
It was reported that the Tourism Ministry has secured the approval from France for Malaysia Airlines to restart direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Paris.
The tentative date for this direct route will be in March next year, Tiong had said.
"We have secured the necessary approval to restart MAS direct flights from KLIA to Paris.
"This direct flight to Paris is an important route in our quest to get more European tourists to come to Malaysia," he said in a statement.
Tiong said he secured the deal while attending the World Tourism Forum in Paris last week. - October 8, 2024
