Dubai: With the goal of showcasing Malaysia’s tourism industry in a transformed world, Tourism Malaysia has announced its participation at the 2021 edition of the annual Arabian Travel Market.
Set to take place from Sunday, May 16 to Wednesday, May 19 at the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), the Arabian Travel Market marks Tourism Malaysia’s first physical event since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of the relationship between the two nations for Malaysia’s tourism sector.
“Malaysia has been one of the strongest supporters of the Arabian Travel Market since its inception. Malaysians share many common cultural and religious ties with the people in the region including in promoting tolerance and unity. Discovering Malaysia would bring people closer together and understanding as exemplified by the leaders of the two countries through the exchange of visits including by the Majesty the King Al Sultan Abdullah of Malaysia and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Prime Minister of Malaysia to the UAE as well as by His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of Armed Forces of the UAE to Malaysia recently. These cooperation are further bolstered with Malaysia participation in the coming EXPO 2020, where we aimed to further promote tourism, create more business opportunities and boost bilateral relations with the UAE,” Mohd Tarid bin Sufian, H.E Ambassador of Malaysia to the United Arab Emirates, said.
“When Malaysia opens its borders, it would welcome again visitors by putting in place the new norms for the hospitality industry to comply with relevant SOPs for Covid19 in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the people and visitors alike. See you soon!”
“Although the travel restrictions limited the number of our industry players’ presence in ATM 2021 physical event but majority of them are still maintaining their presence and interest in the Middle East by participating in ATM 2021 virtual event under the Tourism Malaysia Pavilion,” Mohd Hasril Abdul Hamid, Consul General of Malaysia in Dubai, said.
“It’s impossible” said the pride, “It’s risky” said experience, “It’s pointless” said reason, and “Give it a try” whispered the heart. With uncertainty comes opportunity, therefore we take the first step to participate in the physical ATM 2021,” Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia, Dubai, said.
“Tourism Malaysia will always open the possible doors to promote Malaysia to the international market. This year we launched Malaysia Specialist Certified Programme (MSCP) to educate travel professionals in the Middle East on in-depth destination information to become certified Malaysia travel experts. Conducted by Malaysian destination experts from tourism boards of Penang, Melaka, Selangor, Sabah, Sarawak, and Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), the programme comprises a series of six webinars, spanning one hour per session from 9 to 25 March 2021, designed specifically for travel agents. The MSCP is a part of Tourism Malaysia Dubai’s initiative born out of the COVID-19 pandemic besides the hashtag for this year, #WeMissYou, to let the tourists know that we are eager to see them again in our beautiful country.”
As a Muslim-majority country, Malaysia has always been an attractive destination for the halal tourism sector as the country offers a safe, family-friendly environment that caters to the cultural and dietary requirements of Muslim travelers. UAE is an important key feeder market for Malaysia as it acted as the flight hub for Middle Eastern market which majority enjoys visa-free travel to Malaysia. As the country pursues a practice of sustainable and responsible tourism, it endeavors to showcase the Malaysian hospitality and the picturesque and breath-taking landscapes of the UNESCO Heritage cities, cool highlands, 130 million years old rainforests, balmy islands and pristine beaches and many more marvelous destinations in the country.
