April 15, 2011 at 4:00 pm
It’s not exactly an invasion, but according to Tourism Malaysia’s office in Canada, a growing number of Canadians are finding Malaysia interesting enough to come over for a visit. To quote Kausar Kassim, Tourism Malaysia’s vice president to Canada, “Malaysia is an extremely popular destination for Canadian travellers. And looking at tourist arrival figures, Malaysia’s popularity in Canada is growing fast.”
Canada, a country famed for the Mounted Police and Celine Dion
She states that Tourism Malaysia has a number of promotional niches, including the homestay, cultural, ecotourism, sophisticated office ladies, golf, and weddings and honeymoons programmes. Sophisticated office ladies as a promotional niche for tourism? As odd as the phrase sounds, it seems that this niche market is focused on career women who possess a certain level of sophistication. In short, well heeled. The question is, will they relish sharing a label that originated from Japan that has a less than savoury meaning?
Tell us what YOU think.
Read the full article below:
Malaysia is expected to see more Canadian tourists as the country’s popularity rose 7.9 per cent in terms of tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2011 when compared with the same period of last year amid aggressive promotion on a tight budget – thanks to Tourism Malaysia’s diligence and innovation, says Tourism Malaysia’s top official here.
“Malaysia is an extremely popular destination for Canadian travellers. And looking at tourist arrival figures, Malaysia’s popularity in Canada is growing fast,” said Kausar Kassim, Tourism Malaysia’s vice president to Canada.
In an interview with Bernama, she said, “In 2010, 91,701 Canadians travelled to Malaysia. That was a 4.1 per cent increase from 2009. Since 2005, our country has seen a 65 per cent increase in the number of Canadian tourist arrivals. And, we expect that number to continue increasing.”
Kausar said the Malaysia Homestay programme has significant appeal to the Canadian market because “Canadians are attracted to experiencing other cultures and homestays are perfect opportunities for just that.”
Canada has some 33.5 million population bordering the United States.
Since her arrival less than a year ago, Kausar had not come across major obstacles in promoting Malaysia. “My predecessors did an excellent job of promoting Malaysia. And I have continued to actively engage the Canadian market.”
Touching on Tourism Malaysia’s promotional niches, she said they included the homestay, cultural, ecotourism, sophisticated office ladies, golf, and weddings and honeymoons programmes.
Asked whether cheaper and closer holiday spots like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas in Mexico and cheaper American and European holiday packages had affected Tourism Malaysia’s promotions, she replied:
“We do not compete with these destinations. To go to Mexico, travellers only need a few days and little time to plan. This is not the case with Malaysia. Tourists usually stay at least six days or more.
“Our offerings are completely different. We offer a rich cultural experience unique to Malaysia. Our country is exotic with diverse attractions, activities and also bustling city centres. I think you may be surprised to know how affordable travelling to Malaysia can be. Packages to Malaysia start at only C,000 (about RM3,150) per person.
“There is a growing trend for cultural, green and experiential travel experiences. Malaysia offers both, as a multicultural nation full of unique and ecotourism activities.”
Kausar said a new Tourism Malaysia Canada (TMC) website would be launched next month.
It will have a new outlook, more features, more videos, more pictures and products including beaches, destinations and events, and more information for Canadian travellers.
Asked if Malaysia’s location, being half way across the world, had hindered Tourism Malaysia’s promotional efforts, she said: “It is definitely a challenge for what we call ‘long haul’ markets. However, we are able to overcome this in two ways. The first is the unique experience that can be found nowhere else in the world.”
“Malaysia offers a wide array of attractions and activities within a multicultural paradise, so seasoned travellers are not scared of the distance. Secondly, we work with our neighbouring countries to promote dual destinations. This makes a long journey to Southeast Asia more worthwhile.”
Asked how she planned to attract tourists from North America to Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, she said, “Malaysia is a moderate Muslim country that prides itself on its multi-cultural background.”
“Our country is full of a colourful array of various ethnicities and religions living in harmony. We see ourselves as a country promoting goodwill and peace.
“In fact, The Los Angeles Times recently wrote an article about Asia. It described Malaysia as a model nation for future post-revolutionary Islamic societies of North Africa and the Middle East.”
However, Kausar expressed concern over the absence of Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines in Canada’s air space. Malaysia Airlines only flies to Los Angeles in the North American sector.
Source: Bernama
Photo (c) alexindigo
Canadians are coming here in Malaysia not to shop or for designer labels as we aren’t known for being materialistic. We enjoy Malaysia for adventure, relaxation, friendly people and most of all, warmth. The inexpensive cost of living here is attractive for us. There is no such thing as a hawker in Canada so the convenient way of life is amazing to us.
Malaysia is interesting to Canadians because of the contradictions of raw Asian life and religion, mixed with luxury and comfort. They find humour and pleasure in observing another culture. Canada is very secular, little to no religion is celebrated there so Malaysia is also an educational experience.
At least..I can speak for myself.
Thanks for the lovely comment Tana. May I assume that you’re from Canada?