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Thinking of Malaysia or Singapore This Summer?

Malaysia and Singapore launched a special promotional drive in the city on Friday with the common objective of attracting tourists.
Both the countries focussed on Lucknow, as the outgoing tourist flow from the city to the two destinations has registered a rapid rise. In the case of Malaysia, the increase has been 10 pc per year during the last three years. And in the case of Singapore, increase has been 25 pc. Representatives of both the destinations have set their sight on this 'mini metro' with Kanpur being next on their agenda.
Addressing two different press conferences, area director, Northern/Eastern India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal of Singapore Tourism Board Merzban Majoo and marketing manager, tourism, Malaysia, Bhupesh Kumar spoke on what was unique about their country and why it should be a 'must see' on every tourist's agenda.
Majoo said travelling had emerged as a top option among spenders in mini metros and the state was such travelling abroad was working out cheaper than travelling inland. Spelling out the economics, he said a Mumbai-Goa flight cost Rs 22,000, while that to Singapore cost Rs 17,000. Added to this were the cheap packages now being offered by travel agents. A 3-night stay in a hotel for a couple was available for Rs 26,000 which was inclusive of air fare, he said.
The area director said Singapore welcomed a record high of 471,000 Indian visitors in 2004 which made it the country's sixth largest visitor-generating market. He attributed this to the 'family friendly' factor which the country had to offer. “We have everything for each member of the family and particularly for the children. It is here that you can have lunch with a lion or a breakfast with an orangutan”.
Majoo said the Singapore Tourism Board and the Indian tourism ministry had recently decided to embark on a unique collaboration to market Singapore and select Indian cities as joint destinations to Australian travellers. Speaking about his country as a tourist destination, Bhupesh Kumar said the total number of arrivals from the country to Malaysia had grown from 39,000 in 1999 to 1,72,000 in 2004. The target for 2005 was 2 lakh. Arrivals from Lucknow this year had been pegged at 18 pc more than that of last year.
Malaysia, Kumar said had the most dynamic economy in SE Asia along with a multi racial society which he emphasised made it 'truly Asia'. He said on an average a package to Malyasia from Lucknow cost Rs 25,000 per person for 4 days/3 nights including airfare, accomodation and sightseeing. More variety was likely to be introduced in the packages so that a traveller could have a choice of selection.
The marketing manager said as part of its promotion campaign, Malaysian tourism would be holding a special road show for the people of Lucknow from July-September.

Lucknow, India 30/04/2005