Media
Release
7th January, Kuala Lumpur
- The Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB
Dato' Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi
officially launched the Visit Malaysia
Year (VMY) 2007 at 8pm on 6 January
2007, during a grand ceremony in Taman
Tasik Titiwangsa, Kuala Lumpur. The
highlights of the event were a concert
featuring renowned Malaysian artistes,
an exciting fireworks display and the
unveiling of the "Eye on Malaysia",
a 60-metre high ferries wheel similar
to the "London Eye".
Other dignitaries gracing the event
included the Minister of Federal Territories,
YB Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique; the Minister
of Tourism, YB Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan
Tengku Mansor; the Deputy Minister of
Tourism, YB Dato' Donald Lim; and the
Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, YB Datuk Abdul
Hakim Borhan.
At the invitation of Tourism Malaysia,
over 350 foreign journalists and tour
agents from 33 countries were invited
to attend the grand launch along with
foreign ambassadors and other VIPs.
The launch of VMY 2007 is timed to
enhance and internationalise Malaysia's
brand image as a global tourist destination
of choice. Its significance is augmented
by the nation's golden jubilee celebrations
as the country observes 50 years of
nationhood.
The Minister of Tourism is confident
that the third installment of Visit
Malaysia Year will surpass the successes
of the previous VMY campaigns held in
1990 and 1994. With the start of the
VMY 2007 campaign early last year followed
by overseas in 2007.
In line with the celebration of VMY
2007 and Malaysia's 50th anniversary
of Independence, over 240 exciting events
and activities are taking place around
the country. Among them, 50 major events
have been selected to represent the
best that the country has to offer.
Following the official launch of VMY
2007, the first major event in the line-up
is the Flora Fest from 20 January till
4 February. This floral extravaganza
comprises a Florathon in Kuala Lumpur
and a Flora Hunt, Floral Parade and
static display of the floats in Putrajaya.
There is also a Floral Bazaar that culminates
in a floral craft workshop, a floral
photography exhibition in the Perbadanan
Putrajaya exhibition hall, and a floral
display competition among shopping malls
and hotels nationwide.