KUALA LUMPUR: The enforcement of the smoking ban at eateries will not affect the tourism industry in the country.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry secretary-general Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah said this was because tourists usually followed all the laws and rules of countries they visited.
“The smoking ban at certain areas will not affect the tourism sector as the tourists will follow the law. The tourism sector will continue to be developed from year to year to improve Malaysia’s position as one of the top 10 countries to visit in the world,” he said at the launch of the Six Nation Ride Indochina Asean Adventure Touring Malaysia (ATM) at the Malaysian Tourism Centre.
Rashidi said 26.4 million foreign tourists had entered Malaysia last year, generating earnings of RM84.9 billion.
“This year, the ministry has set a target of 28.1 million foreign tourists with earnings of RM92.2 billion. For 2020, the ministry has set a target of 30 million foreign tourists spending RM100 billion here,” he said.
Meanwhile, ATM expedition chief Abi Khalid Abdul Samad said the convoy was a campaign to promote Malaysia.
Eight participants on motorcycles below 200cc, including the Malaysian-made Modenas, will take 14 days to tour Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
Abi Khalid said the expedition members expected to face many challenges as they were using small motorcycles.
However, he said the training they had received over the past three weeks had increased their stamina and would serve them well on the long journey.
“We will ensure that we stay healthy, including by having enough sleep and watching what we eat,” he said.
Abi Khalid said the team members would be taking along with them frozen Malaysian foodstuff such as nasi lemak to share with the people they meet in the countries they are visiting.
The convoy is expected to cover some 7,200km, he said, adding that the cost is expected to be around RM48,000, sponsored by the riders themselves and several companies.
Present at the launch yesterday was ministry deputy secretary-general (tourism) Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid.