Malaysia: Saudi tourists’ favorite destination

RIYADH: Malaysian Ambassador Syed Omar Al-Saggaf led a tourism roadshow presentation recently with 200 guests at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel here.
Among those present were Abdullah S. Al-Jehani, vice president for tourism at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and a Malaysian delegation representing different hotels, resorts and spas.
“I am pleased to announce that as far as tourist arrivals are concerned, Saudi Arabia is top in visitor arrivals in Malaysia from West Asia. Last year, Malaysia recorded 87,693 arrivals from Saudi Arabia,” Al-Saggaf said.
In Dubai, different companies from different countries that took part in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) there announced that they have high expectations from the local market as they found that Saudis are frequent travelers and best investors from the region.
Al-Saggaf said the large number of Saudi visitors to Malaysia could not have been possible without the support of the tourism industry in the Kingdom.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the travel agents and airlines represented here this evening for your hard work, help and support in promoting Malaysia as a holiday destination among local tourists,” he said.
“Tourism has become one of the major players in international commerce, and represents one of the main sources of income for many countries,” he said.
“At the microeconomic level, travel and tourism play an extensive role in stimulating economic sectors such as transportation, food, accommodation, entertainment, handicraft, shopping, spa, wellness, health care and education.”
Al-Saggaf suggested that local travel agents come up with special packages for travelers from the Kingdom to visit not only Kuala Lumpur but also Penang and Langkawi as well as other tourist destinations in Malaysia like Terengganu, Pahang, Melaka, and Sabah.
“These destinations are second to none, if I may say so. They offer not only breathtaking scenery but also medical tourism. They have drawn foreign tourists who have visited Malaysia several times,” he said.
He said that in the context of medical and health tourism, Malaysia is among the popular destinations for Saudi tourists. It is fast emerging as a value-for-money destination with world-class health and state-of-the-art medical facilities, as Malaysia has over 200 international standard hospital and clinics.
“Similarly, the good exchange rate has contributed to the growth in education tourism, thus making Malaysia a center of research and educational excellence. Twinning programs with foreign universities have made it affordable for Saudi students to pursue their tertiary education in Malaysia,” the Malaysian envoy said.
Al-Saggaf also urged airline representatives to offer attractive airfares in order to attract more Saudi tourists to Malaysia. He thanked the media for promoting his country's tourist destinations.
Ahmad Yahaya Al Jahsyi, Tourism Malaysia director, expressed happiness that he and his delegation could make it to Riyadh.
He said that over the years, Malaysia had maintained a reputation as the premier quality and value-for-money tourist destination, adding that major cities in the country are well connected as an excellent infrastructure network and amenities are available.
“With a tropical climate throughout the year, Malaysia is an all-season destination for Saudis and expatriates who want to have an extended summer holiday. With proper packaging and promotions, Malaysia can be marketed as a travel product for all seasons — whether you come for the islands and beaches, a city experience, cultural heritage, gastronomic tours, among others,” he said.
Al Jahsyi said Malaysia “is ready and waiting for more Saudi tourists and expatriates to discover it, so to speak. Tourism Malaysia, airline partners, state government bodies, hotel and resort operators and local tour operators are working together to promote Malaysia aggressively in Saudi Arabia.”
A video presentation on traditional music was later shown at Al-Saggaf’s residence.
Also present on the occasion were Malaysian Embassy Minister Counselor Hishamuddin Ibrahim, who is also the deputy head of mission, Mohamad Shahir Sabarudin, counselor, Shamshul M. Hassan Al Yafie and Zulhelmi Mohammed, overseas director and deputy director for Saudi Arabia, Levant, Yemen and North Africa respectively, and Mohammed Rosnan, who headed the delegation from the Malaysian travel industry.