MELBOURNE, 15 February 2011 – The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) applauds the Malaysian government business tourism initiative, given its large multiplier effect, higher-yield and greater turnover for repeat visitors in terms of contribution to the country’s tourism receipts.
This is in line with the Malaysian government’s endorsement of the business tourism as part of its Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) that aims to transform the nation into a high income economy by 2020, with the allocation of a RM25 million (AUD8.1 million) Subvention Fund in 2011 and 2012, increasing to RM55 million in 2020 (AUD17.9 million).
Sharing this insight at AIME 2011, Datuk Peter Brokenshire, General Manager, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, said this positive step will not only go some ways towards making Malaysia more competitive on the global stage but also facilitate more cohesive private-public sector efforts to deliver more international and regional business tourism events into the country. “The Subvention Fund will help steer growth in business tourism and in turn, contribute to the nation’s goal of doubling tourism receipts to RM103.5 million (AUD33.7 million) by 2020.”
In line with the ETP, the Malaysian government also launched the ‘Greater Kuala Lumpur Development and Economic Transformation Programme’ that includes the immediate planned development of two kilometers of overhead pedestrian walkway to link major places of interest and hotels around the Kuala Lumpur city centre.
“The proposed walkways, totalling 42 kilometers for the long term plan, will provide convenience and flexibility for visitors to get to and from hotels or shopping destinations and other tourism attractions.
AIME 2011 - 2
“With our strategic central location combined with the upcoming 450-room Grand Hyatt Hotel, the 180 rooms being added to the existing 322 units of Impiana KLCC Hotel expansion project and the just completed overhead bridge linking Impiana Hotel directly to the Centre will definitely enhance the Centre’s growing reputation as the premier convention facility in the country.”
And the Centre is poised for bigger things as its owner, KLCC Holdings Sdn Bhd has committed to the development of Lot 91 adjacent to the Centre. “The expansion will open up opportunities for the Centre to attract and accommodate larger events. Plans are currently being finalised with completion anticipated by late 2013,” Brokenshire informed.
Brokenshire concluded that, the development within the precinct, coupled with plans to expand its current footprint to cater for larger events and to enter new markets such as the USA, the Centre is confident of continued growth going forward.
From June 2005 through to December 2010, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre was the venue of choice for 3,857 events with over 10.4 million delegates and visitors. This in turn, has contributed approximately RM3.0 billion (AUD0.93 billion) in economic impact to Kuala Lumpur city and Malaysia.
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