Malaysia will spend over US$ 100 million in 2013 to boost international arrivals in the wake of its new “Visit Malaysia Year 2013-2014” providing even financial incentives to tour operators selling the destination.
KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysia tourism industry is due to allow a higher budget for its tourism promotion. In a recent speech, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen revealed that the increase in allocations in the tourism budget 2013 would reach a new height.
Malaysia will organize a new Visit Malaysia Year 2013-2014, the main drive behind the budget increase. The tourism industry was allocated RM 358 million (US$ 115 million) under Budget 2013 in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2013/2014, which represents a 42% increase from last year’s allocation of RM250mil (US$ 81.70 million). This is one of the largest tourism budgets in Southeast Asia- if not the biggest.
Describing the budget announced by the Prime Minister as “responsible and very implementable”, Dr Ng Yen Yen declared feeling very pleased “as the extra allocation for Visit Malaysia Year will definitely boost the industry”. The Minsitry added to target 26.8 million tourist arrivals in the coming year.
Financial incentives would be provided to tour operators to help them motivating industry players to work harder towards making Malaysia a leading tourist destination. Tour operators who bring in at least 750 foreign tourists or handle a minimum of 1,500 local tourists per year will also receive 100% income tax exemption for three years.
Ng said the tax exemption incentive would encourage tour operators to be more innovative and creative in coming up with new tourism products to attract more visitors.
In 2011, Malaysia welcomed 24.7 million foreign travellers who spent RM 58.3 billion (US$ 19.05 million). From January to June this year, the country registered 11.63 million foreign travellers (up by 2.4%).
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
