Tourism Malaysia Aims to Take Shopping Sector to the Next Level
Tourism Malaysia gave the country’s retail industry players an update of its various initiatives to promote Malaysia as one of the world’s best shopping destinations. Organised and presented by its shopping promotion arm, Secretariat Shopping Malaysia, the event took place on 5 March 2015 at The Royal Chulan Damansara Hotel, Mutiara Damansara.
It also serves as a platform for the participants to exchange information on the shopping sector’s current performance, trends and future outlook. A public-private sector dialogue between the representatives of the retail industry and government bodies further facilitates the sharing of ideas, understanding issues and concerns, and recommending solutions and strategies to help propel the shopping sector to the next level.
The event also includes a presentation by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia on the highlights of the Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFest) 2015. MyFEST is the current national tourism campaign with the theme “Endless Celebrations”, which depicts the vibrant festive celebrations of multicultural Malaysia.
Tourism Malaysia’s Deputy Director General (Planning) Madam Chong Yoke Har delivered the keynote address at the event. It was also attended by the representatives of Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur Centre (BBKLCC), Batu Road Retailers Association (BARRA), Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA) and Persatuan Pengurusan Kompleks (PPK). Also present were representatives of the Ministry of Domestic and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) of the Prime Minister’s Department.
Malaysia’s shopping sector is a major contributor to the country’s tourist receipts, amounting to RM19.8billion or 30.2% of the total receipts of RM65.4billion in 2013. In addition, the shopping sector also continues to hold the second biggest share of tourist expenditure after the accommodation sector, which is only higher by 0.1%.
“If we continue to push harder and strategise better, the shopping sector can overtake accommodation as the number one tourism revenue contributor,” said Madam Chong during her keynote address. While this goal poses a challenge for everyone in the shopping sector, Madam Chong believed that it is not impossible to achieve. She called on the retail industry players to rally around to achieve a healthier growth for the sector. Besides that, she also acknowledge that the continuous support given by the private sector to Tourism Malaysia’s promotional efforts in boosting the country’s shopping sector has been rewarded and recognised.
Authoritative international media CNN ranked Kuala Lumpur as one of the world’s top shopping destinations. Kuala Lumpur secured the number four spot in CNN’s World’s Best Shopping Cities in 2012 and 2013 consecutively. This put Malaysia in the league of the world’s shopping capitals – New York, Tokyo and London. Kuala Lumpur was also ranked as the 2nd Best Shopping Destination in Asia Pacific by Globe Shopper Index, making the city the best shopping destination in Southeast Asia and among the top in Asia.
“With your active participation, Malaysia’s shopping sector has progressed by leaps and bounds. Since the past three decades, more than 350 shopping malls have opened all over the country,” said Madam Chong, congratulating the industry players for the achievements.
Madam Chong also urged the industry players to help make the upcoming 1Malaysia Grand Prix Sale 2015 a huge success. The sale, which will be held from 14 March to 5 April, will add more excitement to the 2015 Formula 1 Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix that will hit the Sepang International Circuit from 27 to 29 March.
The 1Malaysia Grand Prix Sale is one of the three major shopping campaigns organised by Tourism Malaysia. The other two are the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival and the 1Malaysia Year-End Sale. This year, the 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival will be held from 27 June to 31 August while the 1Malaysia Year-End sale will take place from 14 November to 3 January next year. The thrice yearly sales have helped bring numerous benefits to the local retail sector and boost tourist expenditure in the country.
FAST FACTS:
- Malaysia’s tourist arrivals for 2013 reached 25.7 million, an increase of 2.7% compared to 25.0 million tourists in 2012.
- Tourist receipts for 2013 were RM65.4 billion, an increase of 8.1% compared to RM60.6 billion in 2012.
- In 2013, tourists spent RM19.8 billion on shopping in Malaysia, an increase of 6.3% compared to RM18.6 billion in 2012.
- The retail sector constituted 30.2% of the total tourist expenditure in 2013 against 30.7% in 2012.
- Shopping expenditure holds the second biggest share of tourist expenditure after accommodation.
- MyFest 2015 is expected to help Malaysia secure the targeted 29.4 million tourist arrivals and RM89 billion in tourist receipts for 2015. These figures will help achieve target of 36 million tourist arrivals with RM168 billion in tourist receipts by 2020 under the Malaysia Tourism Transformation Plan.
About The Author
Juhan Kamaruddin has spent years sharing and editing stories that inspire people to explore the world with greater curiosity and purpose. Passionate about travel, culture, and meaningful connections, he works closely with tourism stakeholders, media partners, and industry leaders to showcase the best of Malaysia and beyond through storytelling, strategic content, and collaborative partnerships.
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