DRH set to attract more mid-east tourists

Destination Resort and Hotels (DRH) is set to be one of the key drivers
to achieve the target of 36 million tourist arrivals to Malaysia by the
year 2020.

Established by the investment arm of the Malaysian
government, DRH is the master planner, investor and developer of
integrated luxury destinations in Malaysia, with key developments
including Desaru Coast, The Little Red Cube and Traders Hotel Puteri
Harbour in Johor and Teluk Datai in Langkawi.

In a statement,
DRH said it is participating at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) at the
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DIDEC) on May 6-9,
jointly with Tourism Malaysia and other tourism trade delegations.

It
said Malaysia attracted 356,674 tourists from the Middle East last year
as reported by Tourism Malaysia, a growth of 29 per cent over the
previous year.

"Iran was the highest contributor, followed by
Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Oman and Iraq," it said, adding Malaysia has
gained higher awareness and recognition as the preferred tourist
destination for the Middle Eastern segment, which is
becoming the most important market for Malaysia.

"Being
a Muslim country, Malaysia shares many similarities such as cuisine and
cultural preferences, and therefore feesl like home to them," said DRH
managing director Nadziruddin Basri.-- Bernama