Malaysia set for airline boost

Malaysia set for airline boost
By admin


Tourism Malaysia has hinted that another Australian port is on the cards for AirAsia X, with the tourism body expecting to reap the rewards of the carrier’s recently launched Sydney service.

Speaking to Travel Today last night at a Tourism Malaysia roadshow in Sydney, Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board director Shahrin Mokhtar was optimistic strong arrivals would result from the new service which launched in April.

“We are very confident it will boost numbers,” he said.

Mokhtar said the tourism body would support the airline in its quest for further Australian ports, indicating another addition to the network was on the cards.

“They are talking about one more,” he said.

The much-needed boost will come in the wake of declining visitor numbers in 2011. The destination recorded 550,000 Australian visitors for the year, down 3% on the previous year.

“Because of the strength of the Aussie dollar, Australians can now travel further to places like the US,” he said. “It used to be neighbouring countries in Asia, but now the US and Europe are our competitors.”

In addition, more countries were now making a play for the Australian market to counter declining numbers from economically fragile Europe.

“When Europe slows down economically, other tourism bodies start putting money into Australia – it’s getting very competitive,” Mokhtar said.

He reported good growth in January and March, but admitted February had been “a little soft”.

The tourism body will run several campaigns in partnership with major wholesalers and online travel agents between May and September to drive numbers from Australia, its number one long-haul source market.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

malaysia

Latest News

  • Events

Noemie Fox headlines CATO’s International Women’s Day luncheon

The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has announced that Olympic gold medalist, Noemie Fox, will be headlining its International Women’s Day Luncheon on 6 March. Under the theme ‘Emotional Resilience’, this year’s event celebrates amazing achievement of women, both within the travel industry as well as the wider community. Fox, a champion in canoe […]

  • Aviation
  • News

Qantas claims most on-time major domestic airline title

Qantas says it continues to improve its operational performance, again finishing the year as the most on time major domestic airline. The latest monthly Government data, released today, confirmed that 76.1 per cent of Qantas flights (Qantas and QantasLink combined) departed on time in 2024 compared to its major domestic competitor at 73.7 per cent. […]

  • Road & Rail

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains announces new tours for 2026

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains has announced the launch of the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, a new way to explore the ancient Silk Road. As part of the 2026 program, this new luxury train offers three exclusive itineraries providing travellers with the opportunity to journey through some of the world’s most remote and historically rich […]

  • Destinations

The Lodge, Sir Richard Branson’s offers exclusive savings for select dates

The Lodge, Sir Richard Branson has offered guests looking for last-minute snowy escapes the opportunity to book individual rooms during select dates with exclusive savings. Individual stay weeks provide a unique opportunity for those wishing to experience the all-inclusive alpine paradise in smaller, more intimate groups whilst enjoying all the luxuries of a fully catered […]

  • Breaking News
  • Destinations
  • News

Journey Beyond adds 1500ha Monarto Safari Park to growing portfolio

Journey Beyond has purchased the 1500ha Monarto Safari Park, west of Adelaide, the largest open plan African experience in the world, and will open a hotel and lodge, and add 500 new wild animals tot he park. “Outside of Africa, it’s as big and interactive and immersive as you would get. It’s quite extraordinary,” Journey […]

  • Breaking News
  • Road & Rail

Want Bollinger with your Weeties? Journey Beyond’s new Ghan and Indian Pacific suites

Journey Beyond has unveiled a new “next-level platinum” era of rail travel in Australia with the introduction of its most luxurious and largest cabin class yet – the Aurora and Australis suites – on The Ghan and Indian Pacific. The luxury suites were announced to a select group of media and partners at Melbourne’s Reine […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Club Med unlocks ultimate Japan ski escape with 2026 early bird sale

Club Med has announced the launch of its Early Bird Sale 2026, allowing travel agents to secure up to 30 per cent off Club Med’s Japan ski resorts for a limited time. With sales for Club Med’s ski resorts for the current ski season compared to 2024, now is the perfect time for travel agents […]