The Middle Eastern area is a continuing focus for Tourism Malaysia’s extensive publicity campaign. The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 1st to the 4th, 2023. The Hon. Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia, headed the Malaysian delegation.
Over the course of the four-day ATM, Malaysia will be able to showcase its best shopping, family fun, eco-adventure, honeymoon, luxury holiday, and safe travel options. With ATM 2023, Malaysia will have participated in this prestigious event for the 29th time, a fact that speaks volumes about the country’s dedication to luring more visitors from the Middle East.
The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Penang Global Tourism, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Melaka, Tourism Pahang, and Tourism Johor are just some of the state tourism boards and hotel chains that send representatives to this prestigious annual event in Malaysia.
The purpose of the objective is to recommit to and strengthen existing tourist partnerships, foster new partnerships, and work together with the regional travel and tourism sector. Khairul Firdaus, Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, made the following statement during the launch: “In line with Visit Malaysia in 2025, Tourism Malaysia will work to attract more visitors from the Middle East.” We’re positive that we can become Malaysia the most popular tourist destination in the world among Muslims.
Throughout the conference, the Malaysian delegation meets with the CEOs of various Middle Eastern airlines to discuss potential partnerships. These airlines include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Saudia Airlines, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and Salam Air.
Khairul Firdaus, Honourable, observed the signing of MOCs between Tourism Malaysia and Saudia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia and Air Arabia on May 2 and 3, 2023. The tourism industries of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will all benefit from this MOC, which will in turn boost economic links among the three countries. After then, on May 2nd, 2023, Honourable Khairul Firdaus held a “Malaysia Nite Gala Dinner” to express gratitude to the tourist industry and local media in Dubai for their help in promoting Malaysia.
Since reopening its borders to the rest of the world, Malaysia has seen an influx of tourists worth RM28.2 billion (AED 23.5 billion) in 2022. This is well above the country’s original goal of 9.2 million international arrivals. To produce RM49.2 billion (AED 41.1 billion) in tourism revenue in 2023, Malaysia aims to receive 16.1 million foreign tourists (including 300,000 visitors from West Asia).
