KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Arab tourists are pouring into Malaysia in increasing numbers, many choosing to holiday in an exotic Muslim state rather than face suspicion in Western countries gripped by fears of terrorism.
The number of visitors from Arab countries rose 115 percent last year to some 115,000, and is expected to soar to more than 200,000 this year, according to government statistics.
In the bustling streets of the capital Kuala Lumpur the sudden surge is evident from the number of women wearing full black robes with only their eyes showing, amidst the miniskirted Chinese and local Muslim women in colorful headscarves.
Major hotels have begun employing Arab-speaking staff and promoting Middle Eastern cuisine to accommodate their cash-rich patrons.
“Middle East customers make up more than 35 percent of total guests, and they generally spend about 5,000 ringgit or $1,316 for a 10-day stay,” said Carol Chin, a spokeswoman for a leading hotel.
Tourism Minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir told AFP that Malaysia had made a major promotional push in the Middle East.
“I have said to the Middle East — when you come to Malaysia, it’s an Islamic country, but very moderate.
“You can eat our food, there are mosques everywhere, so you’ll be very much at home, yet it is a completely foreign country, a truly Asian country.”
After the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States many Middle Eastern tourists were reported to be avoiding holiday destinations in Europe and America, partly because of increased difficulties in obtaining travel documents and a feeling they were unwelcome.
Malaysia recorded a total of 12.8 million tourists in 2001, its highest ever and a 25 percent increase year-on-year, despite experiencing a temporary drop in arrivals after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Last year visitors spent a total of $6.3 billion, 39 percent more than in 2000, ensuring that tourism remained Malaysia’s second biggest foreign exchange earner, after the manufacturing sector.
Although the biggest contributors to the country’s coffers were Singaporeans, who spent 11.64 billion ringgit last year, Arabs are the highest per capita spenders.
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