Pre-Budget 2015: Boosting tourism and service industries

What could be done to boost tourism and foreign tourist arrivals? Astro AWANI Editor-in-Chief Suhaimi Sulaiman asks his guest during the third episode of the Pra-Bajet 2015 (Pre-Budget 2015) discussion on Bisnes AWANI that was aired on Channel 501 on Sept 14 at 6.30pm.

The 30-minute discussion focuses on two industries that contribute to the tourism sector -- medical tourism and agro tourism.

On set with Suhaimi to discuss this, as well as their hopes for the upcoming Budget 2015 were plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon consultant Dr Mohamad Nasir Zahari; Transtar Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd managing director Tajarul Yusmi Mohd Yusup, and Ungku Jamilah Sdn Bhd executive director Ungku Mohd Azlan Ungku Mohd Afandi.

On medical tourism, Suhaimi cited efforts done by Indonesia and South Korea as examples, but zoomed in on a town in South Korea town called Jeju, where 150 hectares of land had been allocated to help the health tourism industry, and is expected to rake in more than RM10 billion in revenue by 2020.

Dr Nasir opined that Malaysia cannot compare itself to South Korea, especially when it comes to how they brand medical tourism in the country.

He said if Malaysia wants to boost medical tourism, the private sector needs to play a bigger role as it is the private sector that drives it, such as the case in South Korea and even Thailand.

On agro tourism, Ungku Mohd Azlan said more needs to be done by the government to promote resorts and homestays outside the city. He felt that a platform should be made to promote such places.

"For these types of places, space is very limited. Proper infrastructure needs to be built for such places to be able to cater to more tourists," he said.

As for Tajarul Yusmi, he believed that the government could do more in capitalising on Malaysia's tourism strengths such as halal tourism, among others, to boost tourism. He hoped this would be reflected in the upcoming Budget 2015, which is expected to be tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Oct 10.