Malaysia's tourist arrivals seen rising to 21.5 million in 2008

The number of tourist arrivals to Malaysia is expected to increase to 21.5 million in 2008 from 17.5 million in 2006, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) said Friday in its 2007/2008 Economic Report.

The tourism industry has contributed significantly to the domestic economy since the 1990s, particularly in terms of foreign exchange earnings and job creation, it said.

'Tourist arrivals have increased almost 15-fold from 1.2 million in 1974 to 17.5 million people, with a contribution of 38.2 million ringgit in 2006,' the MoF said.

By 2010, the number of tourist arrivals is expected to increase to 24.6 million, generating receipts of 59.4 million ringgit and providing 520,700 jobs.

Forbes, NY