KUALA LUMPUR: The current drought in several states in the country has not jeopardised tourism, said Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
On the contrary, he said, the hot weather phenomenon since early this year was among the main tourist attractions, especially for foreign tourists from countries currently experiencing winter.
“Currently, it is winter in Europe and many tourists from there choose to have holidays in Malaysia because the weather is hot.
“I am told that based on reports, several hotels in the country are fully booked and this is a good sign,” he told reporters after the announcement of nominations for the Laureus World Sports 2014 annual awards here yesterday.
The awards recognised achievements in sports throughout 2013 besides being the premier event in the international sports calendar.
The winners, who are selected by the Laureus World Sports Academy, will be announced at the forthcoming awards presentation ceremony to be held at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur, on March 26.
Mohamed Nazri said the selection of Malaysia as the host for well-known international events, including the Monsoon Cup and Formula One Grand Prix, helped to increase the number of foreign tourists to the country.
Despite the weather changes, he said, tourism activities were not affected and there was no negative impact on the tourism sector.
“Normally, they (tourists) make their bookings three months in advance to come here for a holiday and I do not think the hot weather has any negative effect on them,” he said.
He said the ministry was confident that the targeted 28 million tourist arrivals to Malaysia in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2014 would be achieved. — Bernama