Visit Malaysia Year 2014, launched a music album, “Tum Mile” to promote Malaysia in India. The album includes songs sung by The Princess of Malaysia and distinguished Bollywood singer, Kumar Sanu. The album features popular Hindi songs of 70s and 80s in exotic Malaysian locations thereby adding a Malaysian flavor to the ever expanding Bollywood influence. Malaysian tourism has been increasingly encouraging Bollywood and other International films by introducing a 30 percentrebate on local cost and a provision of all kinds of government facilities for the same.
Interestingly, VMY-2014 is encouraging the growing interests among Indian tourists who visit Malaysia for shopping, theme parks, beaches and islands. The increase in tourist arrivals from India since, 2006 had risen by 148 per cent. According to Dato’ Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Chairman, Tourism Mayasia, there were around 24 million tourists arrivals in 2011 and in 2012 there were approximately 25 million arrivals. This year the target is set at 26 million arrivals and the for 2014 collectively pegged at 28 million arrivals.
Prime Minister of Malaysia NajibRazak acknowledges tourism as the key economic area, because tourism contributes for 8 per cent of GDP and generates 18 per cent jobs in Malaysia. “Malaysia is a diverse country with 60 per cent Muslims, 25 per cent Christians, Buddhists and Chinese and 10 per cent Indians and yet we have so much peace and stability. Diversity is our strength, Diversity is our treasure.” said Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Further, Dr Ng Yen Yen added that Tourism Malaysian theme for this year is- Endless Possibilities and the vision for is to build a “Kaleidoscope of possibilities” for India. The key focus for India is luxury, adventure, MICE and Ad Special Promotion (Tum Mile).However, the stress will be on entertainment as the most popular attraction, in India.
