THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) said Malaysia targeted 7.8 million Singaporean tourists this year.

Singapore was the highest contributor to tourist arrivals in Malaysia, with 4,537,550 arrivals recorded up to July this year.

“This will contribute to the RM49.2 billion in tourism receipts, providing a much-needed economic boost to the country,” said Motac deputy secretary-general (culture) Mohd Yusri Mohd Yusoff at the opening ceremony of the Travel Malaysia Fair 2023 in Singapore today.

He said the Tourism Malaysia Singapore office embarked on several exciting initiatives this year to bring more Singaporean tourists to exciting locations and hidden gems for an authentic Malaysian cultural experience, far from the big cities.

“These include a strategic collaboration with Batam Fast Ferry and consumer exhibitions such as the Natas Holidays and Travel Malaysia Fair Series 1.

“We hope these programmes will be beneficial to Singapore travel agents and the media, in addition to familiarisation trips to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak in Borneo, and holding numerous B2B workshops and seminars,” he said.

Yusri said Malaysia and Singapore were well connected to the world via road, air, rail and sea.

“The people of Singapore have access to a wide range of airline options, as there are eight airlines that provide 452 direct flights and more than 100,000 seats per week between the country and Malaysia,” he said.

Themed “Malaysia Truly Asia”, the three-day Travel Malaysia Fair at Marina Square would end tomorrow.

Motac targeted an influx of 16.1 million foreign tourists and RM49.2 billion in tourism revenue this year. – Bernama, October 7, 2023.