About 30 million visitors are expected to visit Malaysia next year, with 500,000 estimated to come from the United Kingdom.

Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Ahmad Shah Hussein Tambakau at the 40th World Travel Market (WTM) highlighted that this will be translated into RM100 billion of tourist receipts.

The event which marks the 36th year of Malaysia’s participation at the fair is one of the largest in the world that introduces global travel buyers to over 5,000 of the biggest destinations and brands in the world.

Tourism Malaysia launched the Visit Malaysia 2020 Bus and Taxi Wrap campaign to promote Malaysian holidays and destinations at the start of the three-day event at EXCEL London.

He said that this is one of their strategies to attract tourists and believes that it is a very effective promotional tool for Tourism Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Musa Yusof said the “tactical approach”, as opposed to “thematic approach”, relied on promotional activities with buses, taxies, trains and tour operators to promote travel packages and is confident that Tourism Malaysia can achieve the tourist arrival of 30 million with (a targeted) income of RM100 billion.

More than 100 events have been lined up for next year’s celebrations to showcase Malaysia’s diverse culture and traditions which include the Malaysia Open House for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali and Christmas, Thaipusam, Tadau Kaamatan and Gawai Festival (Harvest Festival), George Town Festival, Rainforest World Music Festival, Regatta Lepa and Selangor International Indigenous Arts Festival.

There will also be the Asia Golf Tourism Conference organized by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators to raise Malaysia’s profile.

Simultaneously running with the VMY 2020 campaign is the campaign for Malaysia Year of Healthcare Travel next year. Malaysia has received strong interest as a health and wellness destination recently, with 1.2 million healthcare travelers last year.

Tourism Malaysia has signed an agreement with Etihad Airways to increase accessibility to Malaysia to boost connectivity.

 Malaysia Airlines also launched the Fly Malaysia campaign at the WTM to celebrate the country’s history and reaffirm the airline’s status as a national icon.

The campaign will run until December next year and aims at promoting Malaysia in key overseas markets and boosting domestic and international arrivals.