Malaysia aims to attract 29.4 million visitors in 2015, the Malaysia Year of Festival (MyFEST), earning 89 billion MYR (over 27 billion USD), according to the Tourism and Culture Ministry.

At a press briefing to introduce the MyFEST 2015 plan in Kuala Lumpur on October 21, Rashidi Hasbullah, Malaysian Tourism and Culture Ministry Deputy General Secretary, said the target could be realised if tourism agencies work closely with the Government in the campaign.

The ministry has outlined specific national missions include displaying the MyFEST 2015 logo in events and programmes, holding marketing and promotional drives, enhancing tour quality and services, and developing innovative tourism products.

Around 200 events will be held nationwide during MyFEST 2015.

Tourism is one of the largest economic sectors of Malaysia, serving 25.7 million international visitors last year with revenues of 19.94 billion USD.

The country’s target for 2014 is to receive 28 million tourists with revenue of 23.15 billion USD.

In the first five months of this year, Malaysia welcomed 11.5 million tourist arrivals, up 10.1 percent compared to the same period last year.-VNA