LONDON – Selangor is eyeing a major tourism market in Europe, to further boost foreign tourist arrivals in Selangor through collaboration with Tourism Malaysia at the 39th World Travel Market (WTM) London.
The four-day business-to-business exhibition for the global travel and tourism industry was held on Nov 8 at Excel, Docklands.
“WTM is the biggest, most important global travel market in the world,” said Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, Chairman Standing Committee of Cultural Tourism, Malay Tradition and Heritage of Selangor.
“With WTM’s unparalleled reach – 50,000 travel professionals from 183 countries in 2018 – and its ability to generate business, Selangor considers WTM as a ‘must attend’ exhibition,” he said.
To ensure the continuous growth of arrivals from UK and Europe, the participation of Tourism Selangor in this event will strengthen the relationship and increase cooperation with European industry players and media to ensure a high awareness and market presence of Selangor as the ‘Heart of Malaysia’.
It will also meet and forge closer relationship with industry players from United Kingdom to get their support to sell packages and promoting new products.
The Selangor State Government has set an ambitious target of 7.5 million tourist arrivals by 2018 and as result, the number tourists’ arrivals from UK in second quarter of 2018 has reached a whopping 31,700, which is 23.3% higher in the same period last year.
“Tourism Selangor recognizes the importance of the UK and EU markets in bringing visitors who stay on average 7 days or more; who are high spenders; and who appreciate not just City of Kuala Lumpur but also the cultural and natural wonders found throughout our 9 districts in Selangor,” he added.
By participating WTM 2018, Tourism Selangor has signed a MOU with Kowamas Holiday which has a branch office in Paris that that will provide more windows of opportunities for Selangor, as well as garner attention from targeted audience especially for the European Market.
As part of the promotional effort here in the UK, Tourism Selangor collaborated with Perbadanan Melayu Adat dan Warisan Negeri Selangor (PADAT) and brought 8 cultural dancers to the stage performance slot at the Tourism Malaysia pavilion at WTM which also to highlight and promotes arts and cultural wealth in the State of Selangor.
In 2018, the State Government has even set 5 top new destinations as a tourism product that will attract attention from tourists from Europe as well as the preparation of the VM 2020 such as the Sky Mirror (The Hidden Island of Kuala Selangor), the Royal Klang Town Heritage Walk (Free Guided Tour Walk in Klang),#DiscoverSelangor Fun Ride (9 days tour around Selangor by Motorbike)Cultural Lively Program by PADAT at Sultan Alam Shah Museum and Eco–Adventure Activities in Kuala Kubu Bharu that allows you to experience activities such as paragliding and white water rafting.
As continuing branding and promotion efforts, there are numerous plans to increase tourism promotion efforts in key European markets. These include advertising campaign in National Geographic magazine in UK, more FAM tours to Selangor; and consumer promotions in major travel and lifestyle publications.
