Singapore is a very important market in terms of tourist arrivals and receipts for Malaysia, Malaysian Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz said, adding that recent political developments have not affected tourist numbers.
Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Nazri said he was confident that more tourists from Singapore would visit their northern neighbour because of the recent depreciation in the ringgit exchange rate, according to Singapore's Today online.
Tourist arrivals from Singapore last year amounted to 13.9 million, with Singaporeans visiting Malaysia an average of four times a year, bringing a total revenue of 22 billion ringgit.
To keep Singaporeans coming back, Nazri said, Malaysia has to “continually introduce new products”.
“If Singaporeans come four times a year, we can’t have the same attractions at these destinations,” he said. “Sabah and Sarawak are also becoming more attractive to Singaporeans.”
Some initiatives include reopening Mount Kinabalu to tourists in October, staging new festivals such as the Kinabalu Rhythm festival, and opening new theme parks such as 20th Century Fox World in Genting and Movie Animation Park Studios in Ipoh.
“With the depreciation of the ringgit, the first country that can take advantage of that is Singapore. That’s why our tourism products are tailored to meet Singaporeans’ needs,” he said.
Nazri added that recent political events such as the massive anti-government rally late last month by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 would not dampen tourist numbers.
“I think when it comes to the Bersih rally, it’s not a problem. It shows that we have (a) healthy democracy,” said Nazri. “I don’t think (that rally) will affect tourism from the Western countries. They also have demonstrations regularly. It’s normal for them.
“We’re looking at it positively. Tourists will still come, and actually, Bersih is publicity for us.”
He said there may be a perception in the West that Malaysia is a dictatorial country. “How can that be if we allow demonstrations in the street protesting against our own prime minister?”