Visit Malaysia Year 2014 Kicks Off At World Travel Market 2013

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Launching Visit Malaysia Year 2014 at the World Travel Market 2013 in London, Malaysia offered a stunning prelude, showcasing its diversity in food, leisure and lifestyle offerings. Leveraging its strategic position in Asia, and boasting a dazzling diversity that sees over 50 ethnic groups, cultures and culinary heritage, Malaysia is indeed a destination "Where The Best Of Asia Comes Alive", as recently acknowledged by the Lonely Planet for which Malaysia is one of the Top 10 destinations to visit in 2014.

Participating at the World Travel Market 2013 in London this week, Tourism Malaysia's Director General Dato' Mirza said, "Malaysia is very well positioned to capture the growing global travel demand for Asian destinations, which is expected to grow by three to four per cent in 2013 - as investors, businesses and tourists savour Malaysia's natural beauty and multicultural heritage as well as our truly unique multiracial cuisine. No other country in the region combines the best of traditional and contemporary Asia as we do. As our tag line says -- Malaysia is Truly Asia and we welcome everyone to come to Malaysia to visit, live, work or play, especially as 2014 has been declared Visit Malaysia Year."

With more than 25 million tourist arrivals and USD20 billion in foreign exchange earnings in 2012[1], Malaysia is looking at attracting investors, operators, partners and talents to participate in this positive growth. Several incentives through the Malaysian Tourism and Economic Transformation Programmes support Malaysia's ambitions, including a 100% foreign ownership for tourism projects.

Not resting on its laurels, Malaysia has in recent years successfully encouraged and expanded its travel repertoire via an influx of international brands such as Legoland, Hello Kitty Town, upcoming W Hotels and Fox Century Studio's theme park as well as tapping expanding consumer wallets via shopping destinations such as Johor Premium Outlets in the southern region of the country. Malaysia also hosts some of the world's largest events -- such as Formula 1, MotoGP, Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Show -- that place Malaysia in the international limelight. Future Music Festival, Asia Music Festival, Urbanscapes and Rainforest World Music Festival are also gaining traction in bringing throngs of visitors to Malaysia to attend highly acclaimed local and international music acts.

Not surprisingly, Malaysia's infrastructure and assets regularly receive international recognition, from Kuala Lumpur being ranked 4th best shopping city by CNN Travel to Malaysia Airlines being named Asia's leading airline at the World Travel Award 2013 in October this year.

Aside from visiting or investing in Malaysia, the country is also known as a hot spot for long-stay visitors and retirees. Malaysia introduced Malaysia My Second Home Programme (MM2H) a decade ago, which allows foreigners who fulfil criteria to stay in Malaysia for as long as possible on multiple entry social visit passes. Ranked #3 in the World's Top 10 Retirement Havens by the International Living Magazine in 2013, Malaysia continues to attract long stay visitors, drawing 22,320 foreigners to the country since launching the MM2H program. Moving forward, a total of 3,227 MM2H applicants were approved in 2012 and 1,890 applicants so far this year[2].  

All in all, Malaysia offers significant potential for investors, tourists and its people, borne from its cultural, ethnic and geographical diversity found nowhere else in the world. Malaysia invites industry partners, talents and tourists alike to experience Malaysia, whether for work, play or to live, being a unique destination in a region where the best of Asia comes alive.

For more information or to get updates on Malaysia's participation at the World Travel Market 2013, please visit www.malaysia.my.

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[1] Tourism Malaysia website http://corporate.tourism.gov.my/research.asp?page=facts_figures
[2] http://www.mm2h.gov.my/statistic.php

SOURCE Nation Branding Division