GOVT PROMOTES LOCAL TOURISM PRODUCTS TO HELP SMALL TRADERS & HOTELIERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said said the government is helping small traders and hoteliers by promoting local tourism products.

Azalina said since these small traders lacked funding to advertise their
products, the ministry was doing its part by reaching directly to the consumers
in marketing Malaysian tourism destinations and products.

"Small traders and hoteliers don't have any funding for promotion,
they don't have any budget for advertising, they don't have contacts with the
media, and they don't know anybody.

"If the government is not doing any promotion for them, nobody knows them
so it is important that we come out with the packages. We have direct hotline to
reach to the consumers to help these small traders," she told reporters after
the launching of Zoom! Malaysia Advertising Campaign (Light Rail Transit (LRT) &
Bus).

The Tourism Malaysia advertising campaign, which would start from October
2008 until March next year, utilises public transport, such as airport limo,
Rapid KL and Transnasional buses, LRT and KL Monorail.

As public transport is popular among Malaysians and foreign tourists, the
campaign is expected to give extensive exposure to the products, activities and
tourism destinations in Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA