Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (right) and Malaysian Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, (second left) celebrate the carnival on stage. Saleh Fareed Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Even though year 2014 may still be a year away, the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and Tourism Malaysia are wasting no time in making early preparations to target 28 million tourists to visit Malaysia next year. While setting and enjoying the big carnival on the grounds of Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, a total of 110 foreign media journalists and photographers from 25 countries were invited to witness the launch of the tourism carnival. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign on Jan. 19 with a call for it to be turned into a “national mission” to achieve the target of receiving 28 million visitors next year. Speaking to the large attendees, he said the project must involved every ministry, agency and state government, to ensure its success. “All of us have a role to play to make Visit Malaysia Year 2014 a success. From the entry point immigration officers who stamp the tourists passports, Customs officers, taxi drivers, hotel staff, business people, tour operators and the Malaysian people, we must show our warm welcome. We must give them the feeling that if they visit Malaysia, they will be treated with warmth and courtesy from all of us,” he said. With the PM at the launch was his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and wife Datin Seri Masnah Rais and Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and his wife. Najib also said the government would continue supporting the tourism industry which is targeting 36 million visitors by 2020. The Malaysian tourism industry provided 1.8 million jobs and contributed RM168 billion to the national gross income. “This year, we'll implement all programs, spruce up, plant trees and prepare everything. We must have all this in place. If we do this, I believe and am confident that 2014 will be a successful year,” he said. Minister of Tourism Dr. Ng Yen Yen said “we are kicking things off in a big way with a grand tourism carnival to create awareness and to gain the public and private sector support for the Visit Malaysia Year 2014.” Malaysian Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen said the tourism industry is the third largest contributor to Malaysia's foreign exchange earnings with a total revenue of MYR 58.3 billion ($19.35 billion) in 2011. One of the highlights of the tourism carnival was the simultaneous beating of 500 drums by various ethnic groups in Malaysia to signify the official launch of the VMY 2014 promotion campaign. At the tourism consumer exhibition, more than 200 booths were taken up by hotels, travel agents and tourism product operators to offer the best holiday packages to the public. A special Kid Zone has also was set aside for the entertainment of the younger visitors. Food-wise, the carnival had a special Malaysia Food Court which highlighted popular dishes from all across the country and more. The tourism carnival showed the importance of Malaysia's tourism industry and how it has performed over the years. Visitors had a chance to be familiar with Malaysia's exciting tourism events such as the Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism Festival, Parks and Gardens and Malaysia International Shoe Festival. The theme song for VMY 2014, “Celebrating Malaysia…Truly Asia”, also made its debut to the public at the event. The theme song will be used worldwide for the VMY 2014 promotion. Visitors enjoyed and took part in various fun-filled activities which included the Malaysia Truly Asia Gangnam Style Dance Competition, performances by popular artistes including Ella, Dato Khatijah Ibrahim, Azlan and the Typewriter, Jimmy Palikat and others. Theme park operators such as Kidzania and Legoland were also taking part in the carnival by having their own exhibition areas. Apart from that, over 1,000 super bikes from popular makes such as Harley Davidson, Ducati, BMW and GIVI are also showcased at the Malaysia Chopper marquee. Visitors can also purchase affordable and exciting holiday packages from over 200 booths manned by hotels, tour agents and tourism product operators. Liaison officers of Tourism Malaysia Hairut Anwar and Noraaida Azmi guided the group next day to see how the various influences (Portuguese, Dutch, British, Chinese, Malay, Indian) over the centuries have made Malacca what it is today.
