Malaysia seeking new tourism markets in Iran
05.07.2005, 11:43
A Malaysian delegation headed by Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is currently visiting the Islamic Republic to encourage Iranians to travel to the Southeast Asian country.
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According to Mehr News Agency, the delegation, which arrived in Iran on September 17 for a one-week stay, will visit Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz and meet with Iranian officials in order to boost relations in the field of tourism.
With the aim of promoting Malaysia as an ideal holiday destination to the people in this region, this delegation is specially targeting holidaymakers from Iran,? Datuk Zahid said during a press conference held at Tehran?s Azadi Hotel on September 18.
Our ultimate object is to enhance bilateral relations in tourism. Malaysia is interested to share its expertise in the tourism sector with Iran, he added.
Iran and Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation during former Iranian president Mohammad Khatami?s visit to Malaysia in 2002.
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We are also here to survey the ways in which the MOU can be fulfilled, Datuk Zahid explained.
The delegation also visited the director of Iran?s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaii, on September 18.
It's time to open a new chapter in our relations and to go beyond the routine agreements. Iran enjoys great tourism potential, but, unfortunately, its experiences do not equal Malaysia?s. Having relations with you will provide us the opportunity to make use of your experiences in this field,? Rahim-Mashaii told Datuk Zahid.
With its rich culture, Malaysia is a safe and pure country, and it?s important for us to seek our economic interests in safe cultures. I?m hopeful about the tourism prospects of both countries,? he added.
Last year, for the period from January to December 2004, 11,236 tourists from Iran visited Malaysia, which is a 7.9 % increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
During the first half of 2005, 6,527 Iranians have visited Malaysia, a 12.5 % increase compared to the figure of 5,803 for the same period in 2004.
The delegation also plans to discuss ways to increase flights between Iran and Malaysia.
Iran Air operates a weekly flight between Tehran and Kuala Lumpur.
In recent years, Malaysia has launched the ?Feel at Home? program targeted at West Asian tourists. For example, a section of Kuala Lumpur has been dedicated to showcasing Middle Eastern cultures, offering foods, songs, and dances of the region.
When you come to Kuala Lumpur, you will find a community of over 6,000 Iranians living in the city. In case you miss home cooking, there are six Iranian restaurants. We also have three Iranian-run supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur. An Iranian school caters to families with children who desire an Iranian-style education,? Datuk Zahid said.
Malaysia is also an attractive destination for higher education due to the low cost of living and inexpensive education fees, he added.
Over 38,000 foreign students are currently studying in Malaysia, 800 of whom are Iranian.
The tourism industry is the second largest foreign exchange earner for the national economy and employs a significant segment of the country?s total work force. Last year, tourist arrivals to Malaysia registered a record high of 15.7 mln visitors with $7.81 bln in receipts.