Malaysia tells tourists: Sorry, we’re full
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s tourism minister said 2007 tourist arrivals would exceed expectations, and advised tour operators to “cool off” as the nation was running out of hotel rooms.
Malaysia launched a major campaign to attract visitors on the 50th year of its independence, but the Visit Malaysia Year marketing blitz appears to have been too successful.
Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said almost all hotel rooms were booked in and around the capital until October.
Popular tourist spots Penang, Langkawi and eastern Sabah state were also fully booked, AFP reported.
“These are the places the tourists want to be and it looks like we have no choice but to advise the tour operators to cool off,” said the tourism minister.
“Much of the problems are caused by the fact that many tourists are over-extending their stays here.”
Tengku Adnan said the country was likely to exceed its tourism arrival target of 20.1 million visitors this year.
“I believe by December, we will have at least 24 million tourists visiting us,” he said, adding that so far, the immigration ministry has reported more than 13.5 million arrivals.
The country received 17.5 million visitors in 2006.
Ian Jarrett
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