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Malaysia To Host two International Tourism Conferences in 2008

Malaysia will host two international tourism conferences, the Global Islamic Tourism Conference and Exhibition (GITC) and the Asia International Tourism Expo (AITE), this year.

The inaugural GITC will be held between July 28 and 30 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre while the AITE will be convene from May 22 till 25 at the Putra World Trade Centre.

"It is hoped that the GITC will become an annual forum for the global Islamic tourism industry, bringing together leading regional and international tourism professionals to establish network and unlock travel and tour business potentials in the Muslim world," said organising chairman Datuk Ahmad Talib here.

Ahmad who is here to promote the GITC at the ongoing Arabian Travel Market (ATM) here, told Bernama that the three-day trade exhibition would also include a two-day international conference on July 28 and 29, where speakers would share their views and findings on Islamic tourism and its various definitions.

"The most important agenda is to wind up a memorandum for the establishment of the World Islamic Tourism Secretariat that will be a body to coordinate in helping Muslims tourists such as in visa application among Muslim countries," he said.

He said the GITC would bring together professional sellers and buyers globally for best business networking and opportunities in prestigious exhibition environment by offering face-to-face meeting with potential partners in Islamic tourism industry.

He said the GITC would focus on exploring and celebrating the countries and cultures of the Islamic world and also feature attractions in countries where Islam is practiced, albeit in a much smaller scale such as Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom and Australia.

Ahmad said 150 booths would be set up by the local and foreign travel agent.

Meanwhile Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Vice-President (Inbound) Rozanna Rakhmat said the AITE, mooted by the Malaysian Tourism Ministry, is modelled after the Arabian Travel Market.

She said the expo was designed to provide opportunities to all parties in the tourism industry to showcase their products and services and negotiate business deals.

"This Malaysian premier trade show is also organised in conjunction with Colours of Malaysia that will be held on May 24.

The trade show will comprise two days of business-to-business sessions and will be opened to the public on its last day," she said.

She said the objective of the expo was to showcase Malaysia and International tourism products to attract local and international buyers and sellers.

"It will help to increase tourist arrivals and tourism-related businesses and activities in the region," she added.

Some 200 buyers and sellers will be taking part in the expo that include airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, hotel and accommodation providers, operators of tourist spots and travel agents.