Malaysia eyes UK market

Advantage Travel Centres Conference 2004 Special: The UK is a key target market for Malaysia due to traditional connections through the Commonwealth and through a favourable exchange rate.

Director general for Tourism Malaysia, Datuk Abdullah Jonid told a conference of mostly local journalists: “We are very excited about the UK market, and with 22 direct flights from the UK to Malaysia [18 from London, 4 from Manchester with Malaysia Airlines] we expect this to grow further.”

According to Tourism Malaysia, arrivals from the UK grew 46.5% to 50,943 in the first three months of 2004.

Mr Jonid said the countries are brought closer through Malaysia’s participation in the British Commonwealth, and the fact that English is widely spoken and understood in the country. He added that a favourable exchange rate, of about seven Malaysian Ringgits to the British pound made the country inexpensive for UK holidaymakers. He said: “Having a holiday here almost means enjoying a 700% discount for British tourists.”

At the same conference, Advantage Travel Centres president, Roger Smith congratulated the work done by Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airlines, saying promotions for the country were all over billboards and buses in London.

The recently appointed managing director for Malaysia Airlines, Dato’Ahmad Fuaad Dahlan said the airline was doing much to further UK services. He said that there are plans to upgrade first and business class cabins later this year and that the airline will take delivery of six Airbus A380 aircraft in 2007.

The airline now offers direct flights from the UK to Penang and Langkawi, something tourism director general, Mr Jonid said has done much to promote the two resorts.

Mr Jonid said he hoped the conference would boost relations between the UK travel trade and Malaysia. He said: “It is a feather in our cap to get Advantage to consider Malaysia and bring nearly 400 delegates here.”

He added: “The conference is also an educational exercise.”

Mr Smith agreed, saying that Journey Travel Insurance’s Patrick Chong, once a resident of Kuala Lumpur, had done much to encourage Advantage to host the event in the Malaysian city. Mr Smith also said that Saturday’s “Dine-A-Round” event, which splits the delegates into groups of 50 to dine in local restaurants sponsored by various suppliers, was important. He said: “It is a good chance for delegates to absorb local culture so they are not just eating in hotels.”

Report by Ginny McGrath