The ministry is optimistic that by 2025, international tourism revenue would reach between RM47billion and RM77b

by AUFA MARDHIAH / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) is targeting the entry of about two million international tourists this year, following the reopening of the country’s borders starting April 1, with revenue of RM8.6 billion.

Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said although this initial projection could be affected by various situations, Motac is optimistic that by 2025, international tourism revenue would reach between RM47 billion and RM77 billion through the influx of 16 to 22 million international tourists.

Read more: Malaysia expects more tourists from neighbouring countries

She assured that Motac welcomed cooperations with a Tourism, Arts and Culture Matching Grant which consists of the Tourism Sector Matching Grant and Cultural Sector Matching Grant.

“These two grants amounting to RM50 million are intended to assist industry players from various sectors and backgrounds in orga nising high-impact tourism, arts and culture programmes in 2022,” she said at the Ola & Oli Official Launch of Kids Safe Travel Campaign yesterday.

The campaign encourages parents to take their children out instead of being confined at home.

Read more: Malaysia prepares to receive international tourists

Along with the launch, Ola & Oli introduced a supplement made from chocolate malt with the SupeOla Immu B+ product formulation.

Nancy commended Ola Oli’s collaboration with various sectors including transportation, hospitality, recreation centres and small and medium enterprises born from the tourism ecosystem to ensure the smooth running of the tourism and cultural ecosystem, thus helping to accelerate the country’s economic recovery phase.

Meanwhile, Ola & Oli Sdn Bhd and Jom Kembara Utan founder Dr Nur Shasa Ain Abdul Aziz said the idea of the food supplement came about during the Movement Control Order where children’s immune system was at risk from staying in the whole time.

“Apart from introducing our products, the campaign also aims to promote safe travel through the Kids’ Safe Travel campaign, for parents who are still afraid of taking their children out and exposing them to the virus,” she said.

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Additionally, Nancy said “Jom Kembara Utan” is a new approach to promoting interesting tourist spots in Malaysia.

It is the first children’s travelogue with interesting animations based on the country’s culture and arts.

“Well done and congratulations to Malaysia Digital Economy Corp and National Film Development Corp Malaysia for successfully producing a TV product that I believe can create excitement and curiosity among young children,” she said.

This digital adaptation is also in line with Tourism Malaysia’s new Strategic and Marketing Plan for 2022-2026 which emphasises innovation, digital adaptation, health and safety.