Malaysia plans for tourism boom

Malaysia is hoping to be a key Asia destination by 2030 as it seeks to promote its tourism offering.

Speaking at World Routes 2018 in Guangzhou, China, in a session on how the fastest-growing destinations can overcome the problems that success brings, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad general manager airline marketing Mohamed Sallaudin said the country is preparing for growth.

He added: "In 2030 Malaysia will become one of the key destinations in the region because the country and government are making serious efforts to promote it as a tourist destination.

"We have to start planning for those future capacity requirements and certain airports are creating capacity."

Meanwhile, Ningbo Supply Chain Innovation Institute China associate professor Chikage Miyoshi said Japan was also seeking growth as the government targets 60 million inbound visitors per year.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport deputy CEO Pradeep Panicker said privatising some airports in India had helped deal with growth as the quality of service improved.

Vietjet Air deputy director commercial Jay L Lingeswara welcomed any improvement in airport infrastructure.

However, ANA All Nippon Airways director network planning Haruo Konishi said any improvements of airport infrastructure will go unnoticed if the airlines can' land at them.

He added: "Slots are a very big issue, especially in China where it is extremely difficult to increase the slots and particularly in Beijing and Shanghai."

Edward Robertson

With over ten years of experience writing for the travel trade, Ed was appointed Editor of Routes News in early 2016 and has overseen its relaunch…