A high-powered delegation of Malaysia Tourism department held talks with Punjab Tourism senior officials to promote tourism between Pakistan and Malaysia here on Sunday. Talking to Business Recorder head of the Malaysian delegation Datuk Seri Mirza Muhammad Taiyab said that there are vast opportunities for tourism promotion as Malaysia and Pakistan very close to each other culturally, socially, religiously and economically.
He pointed out that there are hundreds of hundreds Malaysians who had ethnic and emotional links with Pakistan. Our many leaders loved Lahore and studied in Punjab University and other renowned educational institutions.
Former chief minister of Malaysia, Datu Musa Aman had lived in Punjab. Today both countries are linked by air and sea. Malaysian tourists will learn a lot more about Pakistan's historical sites, monument culture, poetry of Allama Iqbal and his philosophy, he added. After all Pakistan has been cradle of civilisations, Bhuddaism, Jain Mat, and Sikhism , Ghandara art, land of highest mountains, rivers and beautiful sea shore.
He said Malaysia has made tremendous progress in a short span of time in the field of tourism by building infrastructure and provision of admirable facilities to their tourists from all over the world.
This year over 25 million tourists visited Malaysia and contributed significantly to its economy. He said Malaysian can help Pakistan in the training of skilled labour connected with tourism and hotel industry.
In response to a question he said, "We have our annual target. This year, 30.5 million tourists will visit Malaysia and income of 103 billion RM is expected.
"Our target for 2020 is 36 million tourists and income of 168 billion Ringgit," he added.
If a Pakistani goes to Malaysia he looks another Muslim brother nation, future built together in a pre-war and post war and have been happy with one and other on all the forums and discussions held. There are only two countries in top of 10, two Muslim countries one is Turkey and second is Malaysia. Pakistan can learn from our experience. "It can look at our modern infrastructure that we have built for the last 30 years" he maintained.
Highlighting the attraction and facilities for tourist, he said, "Twin towers, Airports, our transport system, new structure all over the cities. We have industries, we have ports, I believe we are very proud and every Pakistani will be very happy that how Malaysia evolved from its humble beginning when we were all under the rule of British," he further said. "Duty free ports selling all type of items for tourists are available. A hub of shopping, one of the premier shopping area in the world and beyond that we are placed on international motor sports Malaysian Grand Prix (Formula One), world golf cup golf, etc,. The status of our country is very high in the mind of the people of the world as a very friendly and progressive country" he said.
In response to a question regarding visa regime he said, "We believe in softer and encouraging visa policies. Visa regime is creating fear beyond what is real. Policies will come more reflexive as people want to travel. However, for Israel visa policy has formalities.
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