In the half-century since its independence from Britain, Malaysia has nurtured a thriving tourism industry that now attracts millions of visitors a year, and has made tourism one of the country's top foreign exchange earners. 'Tourism is a large and fast-growing sector in Malaysia with strong positioning globally,' says Baizuri Baharum, director of Tourism Malaysia, Hong Kong. 'Tourism industries in Malaysia employ 1.7 million workers - 16 per cent of total employment.'
Last year alone, according to the research division of Tourism Malaysia with the co-operation of Immigration Department, more than 24 million tourists sunned themselves on Malaysian beaches, explored its glorious nature parks and historical sites, and indulged themselves at its city markets and shopping malls.
The industry earned the country about HK$141.25 billion last year, an increase of 5.9 per cent over 2009, according to department figures.
While most visitors come from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Britain and Australia last year, more than 1 million people from Hong Kong, the mainland and Macau went to Malaysia. This was a jump of more than 10 per cent compared with 2009. In January, 116,000 Hongkongers and mainlanders visited Malaysia, representing an increase of 21.7 per cent compared to 2009.
'The Hong Kong market is very important to Malaysia's tourism industry,' Baizuri says. 'We work closely with airlines and tour operators to ensure the best quality of our services. We participate in and organise trade and consumer travel fairs, as well as conduct seminars, workshops and familiarisation trips.'
Among some of Malaysia's top seaside destinations is Penang's most popular beach, Batu Ferringhi, situated along the coastal road northwest of Georgetown and lined with international-standard resorts.