Tourism Malaysia keen to promote soft adventure activities
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Tourism Malaysia received 350,000 tourist for 2011 and the tourism board targets a five percent growth for 2012. With strategic focus on the Middle East market, Tourism Malaysia would like to highlight the soft adventure activities in the region.
Talking to Travel Daily Middle East, Tuan Razali Tuan Omar, director, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) said: “We would like travelers from this region to explore beyond the regular destinations in Malaysia. We have the East Coast which is yet unexplored. The Middle East primarily relies on word of mouth experiences to travel, Malaysia has a lot of soft adventure activities.”
Some unique activities on offer include family feeding of baby sharks, the Kuala Gandah Elephant rides, fire flies watching in Sungai Lebam are just some among the many on offer. “Families like to visit theme parks, in Malaysia but we have natural wonder theme parks that can also be explored,” added Tuan. The regions offerings the natural wonders include Selangor, Kuantan, Kuala Pompin and even Kota Kinabalu.
The other soft adventure activities include water rafting in Pahang as well as Sabah.
Shifting focus to market dynamics, Tuan says: “Iran is a very important market for us as we receive around 139,000 tourists from the region alone. Though the preference is package tours, the other parts of the region are more FIT travellers.”
Looking to enhance tourism numbers and increased awareness for the region, Tuan highlighted new developments such as Legoland Malaysia, which is the first in Malaysia. The theme park is scheduled to have its official opening on September 15th, 2012. The 76-acre theme park will cater to kids from 2 – 12 years with 40 rides.
The other key focus is the development of the world’s first eco-nature integrated resort in Sabah – Karambunai Integrated Resort City in Sabah will showcase green development, with energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy, recycling and electric transportation, as well as displaying Sabah’s rich biodiversity, through a mangrove education centre. It will leverage on Malaysia’s competitive advantages in ecotourism and biodiversity, with attractions such as a river and rainforest safari, nature lodges, a mangrove centre and a discovery cove. In addition, the IR will feature world-class events, water-theme park, a world-class golf course and waterfront villas.