Australia has remained among Malaysia’s top 10 tourist-generating markets in 2015, with travellers continuing to see it as a popular holiday destination.
Despite a downturn in visitor numbers in the first quarter figures for 2015, compared to the same period during Visit Malaysia Year 2014, tourism arrival figures overall are on a par with 2013, according to Tourism Malaysia.
From January to March 2015, Malaysia recorded a total of almost 6.5 million tourist arrivals, with more than 121,000 visitors from Australia. This was despite substantial flooding affecting some parts of Malaysia early in January.
The figures are reassuring, but unsurprising according to Tourism Malaysia’s Sydney Director, Roslan Abdullah.
“Malaysia remains one of the safest, most politically stable and value-for-money destinations in South East Asia right now,” he says. “And with unparalleled diversity in terms of our tourism offering, we can accommodate just about every type of traveller, including families, sun-seekers, honeymooners and adventure lovers. Plus we are not much further away than Bali.”
The Malaysian tourism industry’s determination to survive and succeed in the face of adversity is borne out by the country’s latest tourism and travel statistics.
Tourism Malaysia’s aggressive promotional efforts and commitment from industry players in line with the celebration of 2015 Malaysia Year of Festivals have contributed to solid tourism figures despite a challenging year.
The yearlong program known as MyFEST has delivered a diverse mix of 50 festivals and events taking place across the country throughout the year, giving visitors more reasons to make Malaysia part of their holiday plans. MyFEST was a key pillar of Tourism Malaysia’s promotional efforts in the Australian market for 2015, with a central theme, Endless Celebrations, emphasising the depth and breadth festivals celebrated across the year.
Among the most popular events is the MotoGP, held in November at Putrajaya. In 2014, it attracted more than 20,600 international visitors, including 2,242 Australians.
After the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya just 30 kilometres away, is Malaysia’s federal administrative capital and is also home to the Royal FLORIA Flower and Garden Festival, held each May, which attracts more than a million visitors. Featuring more than 80 landscaped gardens with displays and attractions from around the world, including more than 100,000 bougainvillea plants, it is a must for garden lovers.
Shoppers also flock to Malaysia in November and December for the Year-End Sale, which involves hundreds of shopping outlets all over the country for two months.
