By NNN-Bernama
Dubai : The just-concluded Arabian Travel Market 2007 (ATM) was an ideal platform for Malaysian tour operators, travel agencies, hotels and state governments to promote their products.
Led by Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, about 150 representatives from the various sectors such as Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd, Malaysia Airlines, Langkawi Development Authority and the KL Tower took part in the May 1-4 tourism exposition.
Residence Hotels and Resorts Sdn Bhd managing director Rohanna Ramli told Bernama that there was encouraging response from foreign travel agencies for bookings at its hotels and resorts.
She said Malaysia’s participation had helped promote the country not only among tourists and tour operators from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) but also those from Iran, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
“This year we’re promoting our Residence Desa Lagoon Resort in Port Dickson for the international market,” she added.
She said an average of 30,000 tourists from West Asia stayed at the Residence hotels and resorts every year.
Meanwhile, Perak Tourism Action Council promotion and marketing manager Arbaatul Akmar Abdul Wahid said the state’s participation at this year’s ATM was timely.
“The travel agencies here are looking for new products and destinations for their clients. We have Pulau Pangkor, the Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort and the Lost World of Tambun to offer the West Asian market,” said Arbaatul.
There were about 2,600 booths at the ATM and the participants included those from Europe, Africa, South America, West Asia, North Africa and the Mediterranean countries.