Three more international routes to boost tourist arrivals in Johor

Johor is confident of achieving its target of getting 5.7 million tourists to the state this year in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 with the opening of three more international routes via the Senai International Airport (LTAS).

Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the three direct international routes from Johor Baharu, namely to Yogyakarta, Lombok and Ho Chin Minh, provided by AirAsia were seen as new markets for the airline's hub in the state.

"I believe that the existence of tourist attractions such as Hello Kitty Theme Park, Legoland and the Johor Premium Outlet have attracted the interest of the airline to increase the number of international routes through Johor," he told reporters after launching the Islamic Tourism Exhibition and the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair here today.

Since the opening of the three routes on July 11, he said, a total of 6,829 passengers had used the flights.

He also said that between January and July this year a total of 1,268,747 passengers had used the flight service through LTAS, compared with 1,042,237 passengers during the corresponding period last year.

A total of 167 booths, involving the participation of local and foreign travel agencies, hotels and resorts and airlines, will be opened to the public for three days starting today.