Tourism Malaysia has started different programs to attract visitors from the region for its big celebration, the Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014.

Tourism Malaysia officials told Arab News that the number of visitors from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and the UAE, have been increasing.

According to figures, Malaysia has received 102,365 tourists from Saudi Arabia in 2012.

The total number of tourists from the UAE was 18,233 during this period.

During the first half of 2013 (January to June) Malaysia has received over 53,000 visitors from the Kingdom.

In addition, the country also received more than 14,500 visitors from Oman, 9,390 from Kuwait and 7,804 from UAE during the same period.

“The growth rate from the region is positive,” the official added.

As part of the promotion, Tourism Malaysia is organizing a week-long Malaysia Food & Cultural Week at the Shangri-La Hotel from November 1.

The event is set to introduce and promote Malaysia through the country’s rich and multifarious cultures and equally diverse cuisines.

The cultural fiesta will feature an exciting array of cultural performances and traditional music of multi-ethnic Malaysia by versatile and skilled artistes.

“The Food & Cultural Week is in tandem with the country’s aim of raising awareness of VMY 2014 and boosting its arrivals and receipts to 28 million and RM76 billion ($24.5 billion) respectively next year,” said Haji Azizan Noordin, deputy director general of Tourism Malaysia, who was in Dubai as part of different promotion programs.

“To know Malaysia’s cuisine and culture, come to our food and cultural week.” he added.

Malaysia has been enjoying a steady growth in both its arrivals and receipts. Last year, the country received 25 million tourists with RM60.6 billion in receipts, making it the tenth most visited country in the world, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Malaysia was ranked 13th in terms of global tourism receipts.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has meanwhile reinstated its daily flights to Dubai from August.

MAS had suspended its Dubai service in January 2012.

The resumption of MAS service to Dubai is set to boost Malaysia’s tourism industry.

Prior to the food & cultural week, a gala evening was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Dubai, jointly organized by Tourism Malaysia and the country’s national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

UAE Environment and Water Minister Rashid Ahmed Fahad was the guest of honor.

Ahmad Anwar Adnan, Malaysia’s Ambassador to UAE, and Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, Consul General of Malaysia, were also present.

Tourism Malaysia was represented by Haji Azizan Noordin while MAS Group CEO Ahmad Jauhari Yahya represented the airline.