According to the ETP roadmap launched today, Malaysia will model its programme after Tourism Australia, where the country experienced a return of RM198 million after spending RM60 million for marketing in 2008.
Under the programme, the government will begin setting a minimum rate for four and five-star hotels from 2013 on the belief that high quality hotels and services were essential in attracting more tourists.
In efforts to promote Malaysian cuisine to tourists, the government will also develop “Makan Bazaars” — food outlets that combine street hawkers and established food outlets, which will have seating capacities of 3,500 people.
A total of 10 such “Makan Bazaars” will be built within the next 10 years at an expected cost of RM270 million. Wesria Food Sdn Bhd has been earmarked to manage the majority of the outlets.
“Premium Outlets”, which will offer heavily discounted luxury items, will also be built in Iskandar, Sepang and Penang to support the country’s aspiration of becoming a top shopping destination. These are estimated to cost RM355 million.
The government will also develop the Straits Riviera cruise playground to capture the global cruise market in this region. The project will consist of five purpose-built integrated cruise terminals in Penang, Sepang, Malacca, Tanjung Pelepas and Kota Kinabalu, which will be complemented by nine secondary ports.
The Riviera is modelled after the French Riviera cruise and will take an estimated RM2.7 billion.
Dedicated entertainment zones will be established to stimulate revenue growth from RM600 million to RM1.8 billion by 2020. Greater Kuala Lumpur/ Klang Valley, Genting Highlands, Penang, Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu have been identified as potential locations.
At least be 10 new nightclubs are expected to be operational in the entertainment zones by 2014.
A virtual mall will also be launched in 2012 at the cost of RM1.3 billion and is focused on helping local small and medium-sized retailers distribute their products online.
The online internet retail market in Malaysia is expected to be worth RM12 billion in 2020 and plans for a universal broadband access policy will be put in place to spur the industry’s growth.
To ensure broadband for all, the government will gazette landed and rooftop sites for wireless infrastructure by 2011 and all amend the Uniform Building Laws to include broadband as an essential service by the end of 2010.
Abroad, 1 Malaysia Malls will be built to expand the market for home-grown retail brands, food and beverages and promote Malaysian expertise in mall management.
The project will see the development of more than 20 such shopping malls at selected locations in Vietnam and China.
