Tourism Malaysia’s convention division deputy director, Zulkefli Sharif, said Tourism Malaysia had sought professional advice from an Australian consultant about setting up the convention bureau.
He is expected to submit his recommendations to Tourism Malaysia’s director-general, Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, in September.
Datuk Ir Donald Lim Siang Chai, Tourism Malaysia’s deputy minister, said in a recent interview with CEI Asia Pacific:
“We are looking into forming a bureau for the MICE market. We hope to finalise this by the early part of next year.
“At the moment this particular section is under Tourism Malaysia’s promotional body, so there are some budgetary limitations. We are looking at several bureau models including Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Germany.”
Last month Peter Brokenshire, general manager of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, said: “There is recognition by the government and Tourism Malaysia that MICE is a growing and important sector, and they need to support it.
“Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is supportive of any initiatives that will enhance business tourism in Malaysia.”
