Malaysia Info Guide
for Locals & Visitors

LANGKAWI, Jan 29 -- Cleanliness and protecting the environment are crucial for Malaysia in order to become a major tourist destination in the world, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

She said many tourists had described Malaysia as a good tourist destination but were not very happy about cleanliness at tourist spots especially toilets.

"Malaysia is nice but "the nose will guide me to the toilets" they say. Therefore, I urge all Malaysians to write directly to the relevant parties especially the operators if they find tourist spots or toilets to be not in good condition in terms of cleanliness," she said at the Langkawi Tourism Industry Awards 2010/2011 ceremony here Friday night.

She said the ministry introduced the "1Malaysia Green, 1Malaysia Clean" initiative to educate and increase tour operators' and public awareness on the importance of upkeeping cleanliness and pristine state of tourist spots.

Ng said the ministry was working hard to develop a thriving and sustainable tourism industry that did not compromise on the existing biodiversity through e "preservation, conservation and protection" of the environment and the country's nature and cultural heritage.

"Irresponsible behaviour can affect the environment and outcome is flash floods. This is not good for the tourism industry," she said.

Ng said cleanliness and protecting the environment would be the main focus of the ministry to attract more tourists to Malaysia.

"We have been selected as one of the world's top ten countries for 2010 in term of tourist destinations. Out of 10, only two Asian countries. First is China, at fourth place. However, China is huge country with 1.3 billion people. Second is tiny Malaysia at eighth place. We only have 28 million people," she said.

She said under Malaysia's Tourism Transformation Plan, Malaysia aimed tp achieve 36 million tourist arrival and RM168 billion in tourism receipts by 2020.

At the function, The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa received the Outstanding Hotel/Resort Award.

Mardi Agro Park, Langkawi received the Outstanding Innovative Product/Programme award while Four Seasons Resort Langkawi for Outstanding Green Effort award.

The Outstanding Restaurant award went to Restaurant Putumayo while AB Motel was given the Outstanding Budget Accomodation award, HBS Evergreen Tour Sdn Bhd (Outstanding Boat Operator), Osman Ayob (Outstanding Tourist Guide), Sala Travel & Tours Langkawi (Outstanding Tour & Travel Agent), Panorama Langkawi Sdn Bhd (Outstanding Tourism Product) and Jetty Point Duty Free Complex (Outstanding Retail Outlet).

Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) Tourism Manager Megat Shahrul Azman Abas was chosen as Tourism Personality.

The Malaysian National News Agency, Bernama was among the recipients of a special award during the tourism awards held at Lada Auditorium.

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