More Muslim tourists to visit China
|
|
Eturbo News
China-based Xiamen Airlines is confident of attracting a large number of Muslim tourists from Malaysia
to Xiamen due to the rich presence of Muslim heritage and civilisation in the city.
Its vice-president Song Chengren said the airline is banking on the rich Islamic history at towns and cities surrounding Xiamen to woo Muslim visitors.
"Many people are unaware that we have an abundance of Islamic artifacts in Xiamen.
"We hope this will draw more visitors especially Muslims from Malaysia," he said.
Song, who led a 15-member delegation to Penang, said the twice-weekly flights from Xiamen to Penang, beginning December 3, will further boost the tourism sector between Penang and Xiamen.
"We are stepping up efforts to boost our tourist arrivals by 50 percent," he told reporters in Penang yesterday.
Also present were China-Japan-South Korea tourism marketing task force chairman Teng Chang Yeow, the airlines' Kuala Lumpur office general manager and station manager Huang Zheng Yang and its Penang office manager Ding Chun Ling.
The delegation, on a three-day visit to Penang, will visit several hotels as part of their preparation for the airlines' inaugural flight, which is expected to arrive at Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas about 12.30pm.
Meanwhile, Teng, who is also Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's political secretary, said the State Tourism Action Council will organise a grand reception at the airport for the Xiamen delegates.
"About 120 of them will be from the Xiamen Municipal Government.
"Song, who is also a qualified pilot, will be piloting the inaugural flight to Penang," he said.
On the same day, 13 local journalists and 110 Malaysian tourists will fly to Xiamen on board Xiamen Airlines flight MF836 at 1.35pm.
Teng said both the inaugural flights were to mark the 10th anniversary of the formation of the Penang-Xiamen Sister City concept.
The flight services will operate every Thursday and Sunday, leaving Xiamen Airport at 11.40am and arriving in Penang at 3.45pm the same day. The same airplane leaves from Penang at 4.45pm and arrives in Xiamen at 8.20pm.
"Both governments are confident that the smart partnership will improve ties and boost our tourism sectors," Teng said
|
Back to main page
|
Showing 14 news articles Back
To Top
|
|