MALAYSIA TOURIST ARRIVALS SHOW POSITIVE GROWTH

Tourist arrivals to Malaysia from January to October 2014 continued to grow, registering a hike of 9.6%. The country received 22.9 million (22,859,448) tourists compared to 20.9 million (20,863,045) tourists for the same period in 2013.

 

The top 10 tourist generating markets to Malaysia from January to October 2014 were Singapore (11,583,654), Indonesia (2,321,027), China (1,386,053), Thailand (1,102,146), Brunei (985,111), India (643,335), the Philippines (513,313), Australia (479,829), Japan (460,774), and the United Kingdom (377,208).

The number of foreign tourist arrivals in October rose by 6.7% to 2,247,666 tourists from 2,106,569 tourists for the same month in 2013. ASEAN countries continued to be the dominant market in Malaysia’s tourism, accounting for 74.9% share (1.7 million). Among ASEAN countries, Indonesia registered the highest growth of 23.3%, followed by Myanmar (+19.0%), Cambodia (+13.2%), Thailand (+9.8), Brunei (+9.8%), Vietnam (+9.7%), and Singapore (+1.3%).

Garuda Indonesia’s move to increase its Jakarta - Kuala Lumpur flight frequency from 14 flights per week to 18 flights per week since August, as well as the 20% discount offered by AirAsia for its Medan-Kuala Lumpur and Medan-Penang sectors in September, were the major factors that contributed to the upsurge of Indonesian travellers to Malaysia.

Participation in various tourism fairs at major cities in the region, such as Pasai City in the Philippines and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, contributed to the increase of tourist arrivals from ASEAN countries. A joint cooperation with local bank, radio station, and tourism agencies in Brunei, as well as Malaysia Airlines helped increase tourists from Brunei.
The medium-haul markets contributed 18.3% or 411,335 tourists to Malaysia’s total arrivals in October. Countries that registered double-digit growth in October were Oman (+55.5%), India (+50.3%), South Korea (+45.4%), Bangladesh (+33.7%), and Pakistan (+21.3%). Malaysia’s favourable exchange rate contributed to the upsurge of arrivals from India. Tourist arrivals from China registered a 5.9% increase, which signalled a recovery from this important market.
A total of 151,397 tourists or 6.7% of Malaysia’s total arrivals in October were contributed by the long-haul markets. The countries that posted double-digit growth were Poland (+35.5%), Spain (+22.1%), France (+15.1%), Germany (+14.7%), South Africa (+14.5%), Russia (+13.6%), the Netherlands (+13.5%), Denmark (+12.6), and Italy (+11.6%).
The strong promotional efforts in France and Spain contributed to the increase in the number of tourists from both markets. The significant growth in arrivals from Spain was also due to the sponsorship on Sevilla football club since March. Besides that, the set-up of a facebook page in French and Spanish since 2013 has also brought positive results on the arrivals from both countries. The increase in arrivals from Italy was attributed to school holidays and cheaper flight tickets. Many advance bookings were made by European tourists to visit Malaysia as a result of the various joint promotions conducted with the local operators in the European markets.

Meanwhile, arrivals for September 2014 recorded a hike of 6.7% with 2,233,545 tourists compared to the same month of 2013. From January to September 2014, Malaysia welcomed a total of 20.6 million (20,611,782) tourists, registering a hike of 9.9% compared to 18.8 million (18,756,476) tourists for the same period in 2013.

 

Note: Data on tourist arrivals is supplied by the Immigration Department of Malaysia.

Over 1.1 billion tourists travelled abroad in 2014

International tourist arrivals reached 1,138 million in 2014, a 4.7% increase over the previous year, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. For 2015, UNWTO forecasts international tourism to grow by 3% to 4%, further contributing to the global economic recovery.

The number of international tourists (overnight visitors) reached 1,138 million in 2014, 51 million more than in 2013. With an increase of 4.7%, this is the fifth consecutive year of above average growth since the 2009 economic crisis.

“Over the past years, tourism has proven to be a surprisingly strong and resilient economic activity and a fundamental contributor to the economic recovery by generating billions of dollars in exports and creating millions of jobs. This has been true for destinations all around the world, but particularly for Europe, as the region struggles to consolidate its way out of one of the worst economic periods in its history,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, opening the Spain Global Tourism Forum in Madrid.

By region, the Americas (+7%) and Asia and the Pacific (+5%) registered the strongest growth, while Europe (+4%), the Middle East (+4%) and Africa (+2%) grew at a slightly more modest pace. By subregion, North America (+8%) saw the best results, followed by North-East Asia, South Asia, Southern and Mediterranean Europe, Northern Europe and the Caribbean, all increasing by 7%.

As in recent years, the growth in international tourism receipts in 2014 is expected to have followed that of arrivals fairly close (the 2014 results for international tourism receipts will be released in April 2015). In 2013, international tourism receipts reached US$ 1,187 billion, US$ 230 billion more than in the pre-crisis year of 2008.

Positive outlook for 2015

For 2015, UNWTO forecasts international tourist arrivals to grow between 3% and 4%. By region, growth is expected to be stronger in Asia and the Pacific (+4% to +5%) and the Americas (+4% to +5%), followed by  Europe (+3% to +4%). Arrivals are expected to increase by +3% to +5% in Africa and by +2% to +5% in the Middle East.

“We expect demand to continue growing in 2015 as the global economic situation improves even though there are still plenty of challenges ahead. On the positive side, oil prices have declined to a level not seen since 2009. This will lower transport costs and boost economic growth by lifting purchasing power and private demand in oil importing economies. Yet, it could also negatively impact some of the oil exporting countries which have emerged as strong tourism source markets,” added Mr Rifai.

The positive outlook for 2015 is confirmed by the UNWTO Confidence Index. According to the 300 tourism experts consulted worldwide for the Index, tourism performance is expected to improve in 2015, though expectations are less upbeat than a year ago.

Arigato Osaka

Arigato! Ungkapan yang bermaksud ‘terima kasih’ dalam Bahasa Jepun itu sering digunakan sebagai tanda penghargaan dan terima kasih.  Arigato kepada Tourism Malaysia dan Osaka Government Tourism Bureau (OGTB) kerana merealisasikan impian saya ke Jepun menerusi jalinan kerjasama program pertukaran media anjuran kedua-dua organisasi ini. Apa yang pasti program yang dicetuskan hasil daripada lawatan Dato’ Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz , Menteri Pelancongan & Kebudayaan Malaysia ke Osaka pada awal tahun ini telah berjaya membentuk satu jalinan kerjasama pintar antara kedua buah negara khsuusnya dalam sektor pelancongan.
Arigato dan tahniah  juga saya ucapkan kepada OGTB kerana mengambil inisiatif murni mempromosikan pakej pelancongan Muslim dan segala kemudahan pelancong Muslim khususnya dari Malaysia. Seramai 14 orang wakil media serta pegawai pengiring dari Tourism Malaysia telah berlepas ke Osaka, Jepun bagi meneroka keunikan pelbagai produk pelancongan di bumi Osaka.

Layanan Persis Bangsawan Golden Lounge

Perjalanan beribu batu dimulakan dengan langkah pertama. Langkah pertama saya ke Osaka bermula dengan layanan persis bangsawan di Malaysia Airline Golden Lounge. Sementara menunggu pesawat Malaysia Airline MH052 yang akan membawa saya ke Kansai International Airport Jepun, saya sempat menikmati kemudahan dan sajian makanan yang disediakan di Golden Lounge  menawarkan kemudahan dan perkhidmatan bertaraf dunia kepada penumpangnya. Ruang menunggu untuk penumpang Kelas Satu dan Kelas Perniagaan serta pemegang kad Platinum, Gold dan Enrich ini mampu memberi kemudahan kepada lebih 400 penumpang.

Lapangan Terbang Mesra Muslim

Lapangan terbang antarabangsa Kansai (KIX) menyambut ketibaan rombongan kami dengan perkhidmatan cemerlang khusus untuk pelancong Muslim. Inisiatif pengurusan lapangan terbang ini jelas menggambarkan komitmen negara ini untuk menjadi destinasi Mesra Muslim. Di Lapangan terbang ini di sediakan 3 buah surau untuk kemudahan pelancong Muslim mengerjakan ibadat solat dengan kemudahan sejadah, telekung, tanda arah kiblat serta kemudahan mengambil wuduk. Selain itu restoran yang menyediakan sajian halal juga disediakan dengan tanda pengesahan Halal yang dikeluarkan oleh Malaysia Halal Consultation & Training Agency.

Pesta Sajian Malaysia Travel Café

Roti Canai dan Teh Tarik di Osaka? Nampak mustahil tapi inilah realitinya apabila saya berpeluang untuk menikmati sajian popular Malaysia itu di Travel Café. Kebetulan ketika kami berkunjung ke café tresebut, satu Promosi Makanan Malaysia sedang berlangsung. Promosi yang dianjurkan oleh pejabat  Tourism Malaysia di Osaka itu menyajikan pelbagai hidangan seperti roti canai, nasi lemak dan teh Tarik. Selesai menjamu selera kami berpeluang membeli belah sebuah rangkaian pusat pakaian UNIQLO yang terbaharu di Jepun.

Kemudahan Pelancong Muslim

Meskipun Osaka bukanlah didominasi oleh penduduk yang beragama Islam, namun usaha badan pelancongan di wilayah ini dalam menyediakan kemudahan untuk pelancong Muslim seharusnya dipuji, Penyediaan bilik solat untuk pelancong Muslim mengerjakan solat di beberapa tempat awam yang menjadi tumpuan pelancong membuktikan bahawa Osaka telah bersedia untuk menerima kehadiran pelancong Muslim. Kami sempat meninjau bilik solat yang disediakan di Osaka Station City. Meskipun ringkas tetapi ia sudah cukup untuk memberikan keselesaan buat pelancong Muslim menunaikan ibadat solat. Begitu juga dengan hotel-hotel yang mesra Muslim di sini, kebanyakkan biliknya disediakan tanda arah kiblat dan sejadah untuk tetamu Muslim.
Di Osaka kami berpeluang menginap di Imperial Hotel Osaka yang merupakan antara hotel bertaraf 5 bintang yang ‘mesra Muslim’. Penyediaan tanda arah kiblat, sejadah, ruang mengambil wuduk sesungguhnya memudahkan lagi pelancong Muslim untuk mengerjakan ibadat solat di dalam bilik hotel.

 

Jalan-Jalan Kota Osaka

Rangkaian kemudahan awam di Osaka memudahkan perjalanan dari satu destinasi ke satu destinasi. Sama ada menaiki keretapi laju ataupun hanya berjalan kaki, aktiviti ‘makan angin’ di Osaka cukup mudah. Jika ingikan keselesaan anda boleh menaiki teksi untuk ke mana-mana destinasi pilihan anda. Bandar Osaka juga dihubungkan dengan perkhdimatan keretapi laju dari  lapangan terbang antarabangsa Kansai dengan perjalanan hanya 37 minit sahaja.

Taman Terapung Umeda

Jika berkunjung ke  Osaka, jangan lupa singgah ke Umeda Sky Building yang lebih dikenali sebagai taman terapung. Berketinggian 173 mete, anda boleh saksikan pemandangan 360 darjah bandaraya Osaka di puncak bangunan ini.  Selain melihat pemandangan indah di menara di sini juga turut disediakan beberapa restoran untuk anda menjamu selera. Jangan lupa abadikan kenangan paling indah anda di sini dengan berlatar belakangkan pemandangan bandaraya Osaka yang indah mempesona. Dibuka mulai jam 10 pagi hingga jam 10 malam, anda cuma dikenakan charge RM28.00 untuk masuk melawat ke Taman Terapung Umeda ini.

 

Tradisi Disanjung Tinggi

Bagi meraikan kumpulan wakil media Malaysia yang menyertai program ini, satu majlis makan malam telah diadakan di Yamamoto Noh Theater yang terletak di tengah-tengah kota Osaka.  Majlis yang dihadiri oleh wakil daripada Tourism Malaysia, Osaka Government Tourism Bureau, Malaysia Airline telah dimulai dengan tradisi meminum teh Jepun. Sambil menyaksikan pertunjukan teater tradisi di sini, kami disajikan dengan pelbagai sajian tradisi Jepun yang cukup menyelerakan. Apa yang pasti sajian yang disediakan di sini adalah Halal dan bersih sesuai untuk pelancong Muslim.
Pusat teater ini telah dibangunkan oleh  YAMAMOTO Hiroyuki (1890-1973) pada sekitar tahun tahun 1921.  Walau bagaimanapun panggung ini telah rosak teruk akibat perang dan dibangunkan semula  pada tahun 1950.

Istana Osaka

Jika ke Osaka, tidak sah kalau tidak ke Istana Osaka. Paling tidak rakamlah detik indah pada sudut terbaik berlatarbelakangkan Istana Osaka yang menjadi ikon bandaraya ini. Istana Osaka terletak di dalam Taman Istana Osaka dan telah berusia lebih 400 tahun. Namun sebelum ke sini, kami sempat menaiki feri persiaran Osaka River Cruise dari jeti Hotel Imperial ke jeti yang terletak berhampiran dengn taman Istana Osaka ini. Meskipun cuma dapat melihat istana ini dari jarak jauh namun ia sudah cukup memberikan kepuasan kepada kami untuk bergambar kenang-kenangan di sini.

 

Hard Rock Café

Bagi kebanyakkan rakyat Malaysia, kunjungan ke Hard Rock Café adalah satu kewajiban tatkala berkunjung ke luar negara. Selain membeli cenderamata seperti baju T-Shirt Hard Rock Café, pelbagai sajian makanan yang menyelerakan turut disajikan di sini. Di Osaka terdapat dua rangkaian Hard Rock Café yang boleh anda kunjungi iaitu di bandar Osaka dan juga di Universal CityWalk Osaka.

Riang Ria Di Universal Studio Japan

Explorasi ke Osaka diteruskan lagi ke taman tema Universal Studio Japan (USJ). Pelbagai tariak dan permainan tersedia untuk setiap pengunjung. Tarikan terbaharu semestinya Harry Porter yang mencetuskan fenomena dalam industri perfileman antarabangsa dan juga Christmas Illumination. Selain itu pelbagai tarikan lain speerti Elmo’s Bubble Bubble, The Flying Snoopy, Hello Kitty’s Ribbon Collection, Amazing Adventures of Spider-man, dan bermacam-macam lagi turut disediakan disini. Pilih sahaja apa yang menjadi idaman hati anda.

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ISTIMEWA:
Osaka Amazing Pass
Dengan harga tiket serendah 2,300 yen, anda boleh menaiki tren keretapi bawah tanah, dan bas kota sepanjang hari . Anda juga boleh menggunakan tiket ini  untuk ke 28 lokasi pelancongan di Osaka secara percuma. Antaranya muzium, ferris wheel, Santai Maria day cruise, Floating Garden Observatory dan banyak lagi. Terdapat juga kupon-kupon diskaun dan buku panduan. Untuk maklumat lanjut layari laman web : www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/

Oleh: AZLIE HALIM
terima kasih: Tourism Malaysia, Osaka Government Tourism Bureau, Malaysia Airline

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