Malaysia ups its marketing efforts

Monday, 05 Aug, 2004 0

Malaysia is building up both its leisure and its business market, says William Noonan, who manages southwestern sales for Malaysia Airlines.

“We get a good amount of leisure traffic, and we’re more and more building up our corporate business,” he told TravelMole at the National Business Travel Association conference in Orlando.

Tourist traffic to Malaysia almost doubled in June compared with the same month last year. The country has been averaging 1.3 million visitors a month.

“One reason is that we have a new prime minister who is very business conscious. A number of trade missions are planned,” said Mr Noonan.

Malaysia Airlines itself is helping in development, he added.

The airline is among those buying the Airbus A380 which can carry up to 600 passengers.

“We’re focused on putting those in two of the largest markets of the world, India and China,” said Mr Noonan.

Malaysia is also adding more sleeper beds, which Mr Noonan sees as a trend throughout the industry.

The entire Malaysia Airlines fleet is undergoing cabin redesigns with the first renovated planes making their debut in December.

A major deterrent to Malaysia is the distance from the US, Mr. Noonan said.

The country has long been known for its diving. But Malaysia also offers an exotic setting that is increasingly popular with honeymooners.

“For travel agents, it’s a very strong ethnic market,” said Mr Noonan.

Report by David Wilkening

David

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