Saturday, October 22, 2011

German Tourism Expert Sees Malaysia As A Potential Partner Country

German Tourism Expert Sees Malaysia As A Potential Partner Country
From Manik Mehta

SINGAPORE, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Describing Malaysia as a "fascinating tourism destination", the top man at the Messe Berlin GmbH, the Berlin-based trade fair firm which hosts the world's biggest tourism fair called "ITB Berlin", says Malaysia has the tourism credentials as a "partner country".

Raimund Hosch, chief executive of Messe Berlin GmbH, said: "I see the (partner country) potential in Malaysia."

"Malaysia has very good infrastructure along with cultural diversity, good sports and medical facilities besides being an important Asean member country," he told BERNAMA at the Asian edition of "ITB Berlin" called "ITB Asia" held in Singapore.

Amid the euphoria over China and India, Hosch said one should not forget the 10-member Asean regional grouping in which Malaysia was a leading member state.

He said Malaysia could follow the route taken by Egypt which participated as a partner country last year at ITB Asia in Singapore.

Next year, Egypt will be a partner country at the mother of all tourism fairs, ITB Berlin, held in the German capital, said Hosch, who is regarded as one of Germany's leading tourism experts and a respected trade fair strategist.

"Given its growing business interaction with the world, Malaysia can also be interesting for business travellers. Perhaps, Malaysia may like to first participate as a partner country in Singapore and, later, in Berlin.

"Malaysia would need to formally apply for consideration as a partner country candidate. Unless taken in the coming weeks or months, there may be a slot available for partner country participation in 2012," he said.

Hosch said Malaysia was part of the strong-growth tourism sector of the Asia-Pacific region despite the economic and financial crises in the United States and Europe.

Plans by the Suntech exhibition company to set up a congress centre near or around Kuala Lumpur reflects Malaysia's importance for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) sector.

Newly released figures from the UN World Tourism Organisation also confirms the strength and growth potential in the Asian travel industry.

"This has been the best year for tourism despite the crises in several regions of the world. Even four months ahead of the current ITB Asia show, we were completely sold out.

"We're creating additional 20 per cent more space. We're having over 750 exhibitors from 70 countries, including newcomers Botswana, Finland, Croatia and even Iraq," Hosch said.

Malaysia is represented by a contingent of 33 exhibitors, according to the official directory for ITB Asia 2011.

Many of the Malaysian exhibitors are hotels from across the country with Sabah and Sarawak state tourism agencies also participating.

Messe Berlin, which received the highest award in the tourism sector, the "Innovation Award 2011" has had a good year in 2011 so far.

-- BERNAMA

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