MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
SELANGOR FORTIFIES TIES WITH MIDDLE EASTERN MARKETS AT ARABIAN TRAVEL MARKET IN DUBAI
Selangor Strengthen Ties with Middle Eastern Key Players through a Sales Mission in Dubai
SELANGOR, MALAYSIA, 13th May 2024 — Selangor continues to captivate the Middle Eastern tourism market with its alluring offerings. Witnessing a remarkable 99% surge in tourist arrival from the Middle East in 2023, Tourism Selangor embarks on a strategic sales mission to Dubai, coinciding with the prestigious Arabian Travel Market from 6th to 9th of May 2024. Spearheaded by Tourism Malaysia Dubai alongside Tourism Selangor delegations, this initiative aims to fortify existing bonds and explore new avenues for collaboration.
During the sales mission, Selangor cemented partnerships with key players in the Middle Eastern travel landscape, including a groundbreaking collaboration with KPJ Healthcare to promote medical tourism in the state. Furthermore, strategic alliance with AirArabia this time is expected to enhance connectivity, supported with the 96 direct flights linking Middle Eastern countries to Selangor, boasting a capacity of 30,461 seats recorded in 2022 alone by international airlines such as AirArabia, Salam Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and others. These synergies will pave the way for a series of cross promotional endeavours, spanning from Familiarisation Trips to robust Business to Business opportunities, poised to elevate Selangor’s tourism profile on the global stage.
Azrul Shah Mohamad, the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Selangor in a statement said, the growing interest from Middle Eastern tourists is a testament to Selangor’s allure, with a significant surge to 176,711 tourists last year, marking a 99% increase from 2022 at 89,006 tourists influx. This upward trend is a sign of our blooming friendship and mutual appreciation between the State of Selangor, Malaysia and Middle Eastern Countries.
Among the top contributors to Selangor’s tourist influx from the Middle East are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman, collectively contributing 79.13% out of 176,711 tourist arrivals. Notably, five Local Municipal Councils — Subang Jaya City Council, Sepang Municipal Council, Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, Petaling Jaya City Council and Shah Alam City Council, welcomed the highest number of tourists from Middle East, further solidifying Selangor’s appeal as a premier tourist destination.
Aligned with the state’s global tourism campaign, “Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere!”, the state remains committed to fostering international collaborations and welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with international agencies and travel agents to drive business growth. Partnerships with global stakeholders will play a pivotal role in achieving 7 Million tourist during the Visit Selangor Year in 2025.
Azrul Shah Mohamad, the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Selangor with the delegations for the State of Selangor
Tourism Malaysia and Tourism Selangor delegations has participated in a B2B session with potential buyers and travel agents
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