By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Malaysia is already open for investors & business travelers. The approved short term business travellers are exempted from the mandatory quarantine. Detailed information on the procedures can be found at https://safetravel.mida.gov.my.
Prior to the pandemic, tourists from all over the world visit Malaysia to explore its beautiful landmarks and experience the warm hospitality as they immerse in its rich culture. Times have changed and the country cannot wait to once again welcome travellers to its bustling cities and tranquil islands. In line with this, Tourism Malaysia has launched the campaign #WeMissYou, especially for the Middle East region, to emphasize the nostalgia it has for the travellers wandering around the magnificent attractions that Malaysia offers.
H.E Ambassador of Malaysia to the United Arab Emirates, MOHD TARID BIN SUFIAN, sheds light on pre-Covid as well as post-pandemic tourism plans of Malaysia as he says, “In 2019, Malaysia welcomed 309,224 tourists from the GCC. This amounted to a tourist expenditure of RM 3.2 billion (AED 2.8 billion) that year, signifying the highest (per capita expenditure) as compared to other tourists to Malaysia. Considering the current state of international travel, we are looking at the year 2025 for travel to return to normal, and have earmarked the GCC as one of our important market. In late December 2020, our Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, launched Malaysia’s National Tourism Policy 2020-2030, giving concrete direction for the future of Malaysia’s tourism industry over the next 10 years, emphasizing the importance of recovery, connections, and sustainability.”
As Malaysia is on its way to a nationwide vaccination campaign as a pillar for a safe border reopening and prepares to welcome tourists to the country, Malaysia is excited to once again showcase its stunning destinations and rich history and culture to travellers flying in. The country offers Visa-on-Arrival to GCC Nationals, while major airlines from the region such as Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Saudi, Qatar Airways and more offer direct flights to Malaysia.
To showcase our unique heritage, the Malaysian classic traditional trishaw, locally known as beca is on display at the Malaysia Pavilion for the duration of the Arabian Travel Market 2021. The three-wheel beca is handmade and customised by traditional trishaw makers in Malacca, and took two months to build and assemble. It portrays a unique trait of Malaysian heritage, culture and society. Today, they are popular tourist attractions, many decorated with artificial flowers with a boom box under the seat, providing local and foreign tourists a scenic, relaxing spin through streets and corners. Eight units of the beca, presented by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) have arrived in Dubai, all of which will also be featured at the Malaysia Pavilion for Expo 2020.
Furthermore, The Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, with the theme “Energising Sustainability”, serves as Malaysia’s overall participation at Expo 2020, led by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Centre as the implementing agency. Malaysia Ministry of Tourism is also set to fly in a cultural troupe to enthral Expo 2020 visitors with daily cultural shows and craft demonstrations at the Malaysia Pavilion’s amphitheatre, where visitors will get a captivating glimpse of how Malaysia is ‘Truly Asia’, with its diverse cultures and people of multi-ethnicities living in harmony, contributing to the nation’s progress.
Between the ATM and Expo 2020 participation of Malaysia in the United Arab Emirates, along with both the nations’ continuous harmonious bilateral relations, MR. MOHD HASRIL ABDUL HAMID, Consul General of Malaysia said, “Malaysia enjoys strong economic and cultural ties with the United Arab Emirates, and both governments have a long history of close cooperation. The UAE and Malaysia are united by our common values and shared ambition, and we look forward to further building on our existing legacy of cultural exchange.”
Malaysia was recently named the number one destination for Muslim travellers for the eighth consecutive year, based on factors such as the availability of Halal food, access to prayer facilities, Muslim-friendly services in hotels, and overall safety and security. As increasing numbers of Muslims are travelling around the world, the demand for halal tourism offerings is expected to grow exponentially once the travel industry regains its footings. Malaysia understands the needs of the GCC tourists and therefore ensures that Halal food is easily available with an array of local and international cuisines, including Arab food.
Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-religious, and multi-lingual society. Mr. Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia – Dubai explains, “Malaysia is a very attractive destination for travellers from this region who prefer to travel to places that reflect their culture and family-orientated values. We at Tourism Malaysia continue to engage with key tourism industry players in Malaysia to ensure that they are locally well-prepared to fulfil the needs of the Middle East market segment and always keen to strengthen their relationships with travel agencies in the GCC. This would eventually allow the local industry to formulate, design and tailor-made the most attractive travel packages that meet this market’s needs.”
“We have also taken this opportunity to launch in our Pavilion the new promotion video of Tourism Selangor and announced our participation in first physical B2C Tourism Fair, 11th Al-Rais Explore & Experience Event in Dubai Festival City Mall from 3 -4 June 2021.” he added.
Tourism Malaysia has conducted consistent studies and research to better formulate an equipped tourism plan for the Middle East market. Its research has shown that post-pandemic travel trends will include tourists travelling in smaller groups to less crowded areas with preferences on personalized tours. Post-lockdown, Malaysia is banking on its majestic nature and highlands to attract tourists from the region. Set amidst a rich bio-diverse location, the Desaru Coast is a new integrated resort that features a portfolio of globally renowned hotels such as Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and One&Only Desaru Coast where all the properties span a pristine beachfront. Johor Bahru is another destination which offers many attractions for the whole family, and is renowned as the new theme park hub of Malaysia, housing Legoland Theme Park, Legoland Waterpark, Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark, and the newly introduced MCM Cartoon Planet. Sabah remains the ultimate destination for nature-lovers and soft adventurers for its hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, white river rafting and island-hopping offers. Between the lively city of Kuala Lumpur and rich history of Melaka, tourists can also wander off to the East Coast islands of Pulau Tioman, Pulau Redang, and Perhentian for their stunning beaches and tropical rain forests, and crystal clear beaches.
