By Norhayati Umor
SHAH ALAM, Feb 6 — The Malaysia Health Expo (MHX) 2020, which is held in Jakarta, Indonesia, serves as an ideal platform for Selangor to boost its branding as the leading health tourism destination in the Southeast Asia region.
Selangor Tourism general manager Azrul Shah Mohamad said Indonesia is one of the potential countries for the state to promote its health tourism due to the close location between the country and Malaysia, as well as the efficient bilateral ties, culture and the currency exchange rates between the two.
“Indonesia’s middle and high-income groups are showing positive growth with increased demand for quality product and services.
“This trend and preferences contribute to the increased demand across Southeast Asia region, including Malaysia,” he told SelangorKini.
Azrul said the high number of Indonesian tourists visiting the country could contribute to expanding the health tourism sector.
He said between January and September last year, 142,000 Indonesian tourists had visited Malaysia.
Whereas Selangor saw an increase in patients from 135,000 in 2015 to 240,000 in 2018.
“There was an average of 13 per cent yearly increase in that said period. Promotion on health tourism would be able to boost the increase by three to five per cent this year,” he told SelangorKini.
The MHX 2020 in Jakarta commenced on February 6 and will continue until the 9th, offering various seminars and presentations including Selangor health tourism products promoting holistic services and medical treatments.
