Tourism Malaysia bags award in Abu Dhabi

In a statement today, Tourism Malaysia said the award was presented in recognition of the agency's far-sighted vision, innovation and results-driven agenda in promotional and advertising activities worldwide.

On hand to receive the award was Tourism Malaysia's Advertising Division director, Datuk Abdul Khani Daud.

Jointly organised by the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) Chambers and The Leaders International, the Award is held to foster goodwill, friendship and encourage better networking between Asean and the GCC.

Besides the UAE, the GCC also comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The statement noted that a survey carried out earlier this year by Crescentrating, a Singapore-based Muslim travel consultancy, placed Malaysia as the top Muslim-friendly holiday destination, ahead of Egypt, the UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

"This is a good indicator of Malaysia's booming tourism industry, which has seen a steady growth in terms of tourist arrivals and receipts over the last decade," it said.

Tourist arrivals from West Asia increased by 3.2 per cent reaching 370,535 in 2012, compared to 358,994 in 2011.