THE number of big-spending tourists from four Gulf countries visiting Malaysia is expected to surge beyond the 55,000 mark this year.
The Tourism Ministry said these visitors would significantly boost tourism revenue due to their hotel stays, food expenditure, and shopping sprees.
It added that Federal Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing was now on a 10-day working visit to several gulf countries – Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates – to promote Malaysia.
“Last year, 40,384 tourists from these four Gulf countries came to Malaysia for tourism.
“They spent RM428.84 million in the country during their stay.
“This year, we expect the number of tourists from these four countries coming to Malaysia to increase and help boost the number of Gulf tourists to beyond the 55,000 mark.
“They are expected to bring in additional multi-millions into our local tourism revenue,” the ministry said in a statement via Tourism Malaysia.
Tiong was promoting not just tourist attractions but also highlighting the many opportunities for cross-border cooperation relating to tourism-related sectors.
Topics such as air linkages, trade, and other investment sectors will also be discussed between Tiong and his delegation with their Gulf counterparts.
Tiong is also promoting Malaysia My Second Home plans to Gulf people, the ministry said. – August 15, 2024.
