KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia targets to attract 1.5 million Muslim tourists this year with travellers from China being the main focus as part of its 'Discover Muslim-friendly Malaysia' campaign, said Tourism Ministry.
Its minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the country also aims to welcome chartered flights coming in from Ürümqi city (sometime between May and July) and Xi An (in March).
He said this during a banquet dinner hosting the group of 35 Imams from 14 provinces in China at Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur today.
Tiong said it is time for Malaysia to rekindle its uniqueness for offering Muslim-friendly hospitality that is revered in the region.
"This is a good platform to bring people together and promote local offerings to more international travellers."
The event, hosted by Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) in collaboration with the Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA), was part of a unique familiarisation trip in boosting Halal tourism in the country to Chinese Muslims.
"I see this as an opportunity to upgrade our tourism offerings through curated events such as this."
The seven-day 'Imam Familiarisation Trip: Explore Muslim-Friendly Malaysia' opens the door in enhancing cultural exchange and fostering mutual understanding between Malaysia and China.
The unique trip, which saw the imams arriving in Malaysia, was welcomed by Tourism, Arts and Culture deputy minister Firdaus Akbar Khan at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2, this morning.