Dubai: Tourism Malaysia held a special dinner at Palazzo Versace Dubai for select VIPs, guests,
and UAE travel trade partners, to highlight the future of Malaysia’s tourism industry and the various
plans it has in place to regain its glory in a post-Covid world.
The special dinner was hosted by the Ambassador of Malaysia to the United Arab Emirates, H.E Mohd
Tarid Bin Sufian. Also present at the gathering was Mr. Mohd Hasril Abdul Hamid, Consul General of
Malaysia in Dubai, and Mr. Shahrin Mokhtar, Director of Tourism Malaysia – Dubai. Leading Malaysia
tourism partners from the GCC such as Emirates Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines
were in attendance on the night, along with agencies helping to bring travellers from the MENA region
to Malaysia, namely Al Rais Travel, Dnata Travel, Orient Travels and WEGO. EXPO 2020 organizers
were also represented.
In December 2020, Malaysian Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, highlighted the importance of
recovery, connections, and sustainability as the core values to be embraced as the country takes
delicate steps to return back to normal. These same values were revisited and highlighted at the Gala
Dinner as Tourism Malaysia lays down the plans to once again be at the forefront of Asian travel
destinations once Malaysia opens its borders for tourists, showcasing that Malaysia is ‘Truly Asia’.
H.E Ambassador of Malaysia to the United Arab Emirates, MOHD TARID BIN SUFIAN says, “We
cannot wait and are ever ready to welcome travellers from the Middle East to the shores of Malaysia
once the border opens, as Malaysia misses you. To revive and rejuvenate our tourism industry, our
National Tourism Policy highlights transformational strategies namely: strengthen governance, create
special tourism investment zones, embrace smart tourism, enhance demand sophistication, practice
sustainable and responsible tourism, and upskill human capital.”
Malaysia hopes to continue reinforcing and expanding its strong bilateral relations with the United Arab
Emirates. In line with this, Malaysia will also be participating at the Expo 2020 with a special pavilion
themed “Energising Sustainability”. The country’s overall participation at Expo 2020 Dubai is led by the
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation with Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change
Centre as implementing agency.
Tourism Malaysia will be presenting throughout the duration of the Arabian Travel Market 2021 at the
Dubai World Trade Center from Sunday, May 16 to Wednesday, May 19, and virtually from Monday,
May 24 to Wednesday, May 26.
