Malaysia Targets Middle East

May 5, 2011 at 12:00 pm

A recent news article stated that Malaysia will intensively promote shoes in the Middle East to attract more Arab tourists. This is not surprising as anyone who has walked along Bukit Bintang this decade would be able to tell you that there are a large number of Middle East tourists in Malaysia. The Middle East tourist market is at times a double edged sword, as the tourists tend to stay a long time in Malaysia and also spend a lot of money when they are here. The negative side is, as is typical of human nature, their seemingly callous attitude. While this is merely anecdotal, some acquaintances in the hospitality industry are a bit cautious when dealing with Middle East tourists.

Like most tourists, they want to have a good time, and often forget that while money can indeed get them what they want, a bit of courtesy does go a long way. Especially where impressions are concerned. It is quite a shame if the stories about their ill manners are actually true, as the Middle East is known for its hospitality towards strangers and guests. Perhaps some of them have forgotten about this tradition, or maybe they, just like many of us who are guilty of it, tend to behave differently when we are in a foreign land, away from people who know and deal with us every day.

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Read the full article below:
The Tourism Ministry will intensify promotions of the next Malaysian International Shoe Festival (MISF) in the Middle East to attract more Arab tourists.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said middle eastern tourists had an interest and appreciation for Malaysian-made shoes which they regarded as unique, creative and of good quality.

“All Tourism Malaysia directors in the middle eastern countries were asked to plan for early promotions so that more Arabs would gather at the festival next year,” she told Bernama after meeting the Consul General of Malaysia in Dubai, Ahmad Fadil Shamsudin, and Tourism Malaysia’s senior officers here Monday.

Ng led an 82-member Malaysian delegation to Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market 2011 being held from May 2 to 5 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

She said the four-day MISF 2011 held at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur last month managed to ring up sales of RM7 million from 60,000 visitors.

“Malaysia made shoes are now popular, not only in the Asean region, but also Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East,” she said.

She said Tourism Ambassador and world-renowned shoe designer Prof Datuk Dr Jimmy Choo also helped to boost the market for locally made shoes.

Dr Ng added that tourists from the middle east were also attracted to tourism products which are related to resorts, islands, golf courses and shopping.

Source: Bernama