Destination initiatives in Sri Lanka by Tourism Malaysia

Focusing on Sri Lanka an emerging source market for tourism to Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia as a part of its joint marketing initiative with Thai Airways, is undertaking a familiarization trip of the select 8 Travel Agents/ Tour Operators and two media representatives from Sri Lanka for 8 days / 7 nights, familiarization trip to Malaysia from June 29 - July 5, 2009

Speaking on Tourism Malaysia's strategy for Sri Lanka, Director - Tourism Malaysia P. Manoharan said that this familiarization trip was customized to offer an informative insight about the new tourism products, sight-seeing options and properties in popular tourist cities of Kuala Lumpur, Genting Highlands, Island retreat-Langkawi and Pearl of Orient-Penang.

This joint initiative with Thai Airways is a part of our strategic approach to enhance tourist arrivals through smart alliances with our neighbouring countries, airlines and tourism offices for the mutually beneficial destination promotion.

Through this marketing initiative we aim to highlight Malaysia as a family destination with something for everyone to do from shopping, entertainment, theme parks, golf all of which appeals to the Sri Lankan traveller.

Additionally Sri Lankan agents will have an opportunity to liaise and interact with local Malaysian travel agents, tour operators and hospitality players through at the Buyer Seller meet that is being organized by Tourism Malaysia on July 4, 2009.

"We have already seen a positive growth of 34.79 percent in 2008 with 42,774 Sri Lankan arrivals to Malaysia, as compared to previous year.

Malaysia today has emerged as an international holiday destination of choice offering 'Something for everybody to indulge and enjoy'. Its urban cosmopolitan feel offers travellers the first world ambience through shopping, entertainment, theme park, cuisine and culinary options at competitive price propositions", he said.

Steadily Tourism Malaysia is also diversifying its tourism products range besides shopping and entertainment, and is focusing on golf tourism by promoting golf packages and highlighting the world-class golfing amenities available in Malaysia.

There are over 200 golf courses in Malaysia and some of them are designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Graham Marsh, Robert Trent-Jones Jr., Ross Watson, Arnold Palmer and Andy Dye, attracting the avid golfers from Sri Lanka and the world over.

On Connectivity: The destination easy accessibility and overall seat capacity will further receive a boost with the anticipated flight operations of Malaysia's budget airline Air Asia in the month of August 2009.

Therefore travellers will have multiple options to fly seamlessly to Malaysia using direct and in-direct connectivity suit their respective requirements.