LURING THE SOPHISTICATED TOURIST WITH HIGH-END PRODUCTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has set its sights on
attracting more sophisticated tourists, especially from the Asian region, with competitively-priced high-end products as the draw as this can help generate substantial income for the country, Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said said
Tuesday.
She said the foreign tourists, particularly those from Asia, would find
most of the luxury products in Malaysia, such as fine jewellery and watches,
comparatively cheaper than those in other countries.

"We are expecting every foreign tourist coming to Malaysia to spend an
average of RM2,700 this year. Just imagine, if one of them bought watches or
jewellery worth RM270,000, that is equivalent to (the spending of) 100 tourists.


"If they (high-end tourists) can fly in to buy any luxury item that is far
cheaper than that in another country in this region, they can do a lot too if
they stay in our hotels here," she said at a news conference on "A Journey
Through Time II", here.

Starhill Gallery in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia will host "A
Journey
Through Time II", Asia's largest watch and jewellery showcase, at the gallery
from Dec 4 to 14 this year.

Azalina said the government would support any effort by the private sector
to promote Malaysia as a preferred destination for the purchase of luxury
products.

YTL Corporation Bhd group managing director Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh said
the showcase was expected to draw over 70,000 visitors from the country and
abroad.

"Last year was a successful inaugural year for 'A Journey Through Time'
which drew over 35,000 visitors. This, I believe, heralds the onset of Malaysia
as being a top destination for luxury watch and jewellery acquisition in
Asia.

"This prestigious year-end event will continue to bring further economic
benefits as it will have other cascading multiplier effects on the hospitality
and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) markets" he
said.