30.5 million tourists expected to contribute RM103 billion next year - Nazri

Malaysia is expecting 30.5 million tourists to contribute RM103 billion in revenue to the country next year said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Nazri was confident that the target can be achieved through various programmes in the pipe line and the existing yearly events, including the festive season Open House practiced in Malaysia.

"The tourism industry and cultural activities is expanding at a tremendous pace with new approaches like Health Tourism, Education and Sports Tourism initiatives to attract tourists to historic destinations.

"For the Tourism and Culture Ministry, the open house concept is not only a yearly event for Christmas and New Year but aimed at boosting the tourism industry, especially in a historical state like Melaka," he said in his speech at the 2015 Malaysia Christmas Open House Celebration at Proclamation of Independence Memorial, Bandar Hilir, here tonight.

The celebration was kicked off by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron.

Mohamed Nazri said the uniqueness of Malaysia's diversity and culture were showcased through the Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015 or MyFEST2015 which was themed 'Endless Celebrations'.

Meanwhile, Idris said Melaka registered 12.5 million tourist arrivals as of Oct 31, and hoped the figure would increase by end of the year.

"Yesterday I was informed that not less than 435,000 tourists had come to Melaka in two weeks. I believe activities like the Christmas Open house can further boost tourist arrivals to Melaka and hit the 16 million target next year," he said.