Tourist arrivals up despite global economic slowdown

Tourist arrivals in Malaysia have increased despite the global economic slump and the pandemic influenza A (H1N1).

This was shown by a 3.6 percent increase between January and July this year to 13.35 million arrivals compared to 12.89 million in the same time last year, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

"The arrival figures are a testament that despite the global H1N1 pandemic, people still can enjoy a holiday and at the same time take precautions to avoid being infected," she said