INTRODUCTION
Malaysia has long been one of the world’s best kept tourism secrets. It is an ideal tourism destination in so many different respects as it offers a wide range of diverse attraction to suit all tastes and most importantly, at relatively affordable prices.
Figure 1: Map of Malaysia
Lying just north of the equator, Malaysia is located at the south of Cambodia and Vietnam and north of Singapore and Indonesia. More than one thousand islands are part of Malaysia with some 38 designated as marine parks. Parts of the primeval rainforest are more than 100 million years old with a dazzling selection of birds and wildlife.
Malaysia has superb golden beaches, lush vegetation, mountains and fabulous shopping allied to some magnificent hotels. This has made the country the fastest growing destination in South East Asia. The mix of the ancient and the ultra-modern make Malaysia a fascinating place to visit, while the low cost of living and huge visitor choice makes it an ideal holiday location.
Malaysia has a tropical climate throughout the year, enjoying warm days and mild evenings in all seasons. English is widely spoken in Malaysia, although the national language is Malay. In addition, the country also offers a fascinating cultural mix with colorful festivals, unique arts and crafts, architecture, food and a rich array of dance forms.
Malaysia is ideally placed to take advantage of its increased interest in the tourism industry, especially ecotourism segment, as it possesses a wide variety of natural land and marine habitats, spectacular wildlife, diverse indigenous ethnic groups and cultures, and a rich history. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) stated that that the future prospects for Travel & ...