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April 07, 2005
Discussing the state of tourism in Malaysia
Mack started an interesting discussion about "TVC: Investment in Hong Kong" and somehow, it is developing into a very fruitful discussion.
To generate discussions and conversations is something that bloggers are good at. So check it out and contribute.
I wrote about Hong Kong and its turnaround a while ago. The city was known earlier as being rude, and over the last couple of years, they have developed into a consumer heaven with friendly and helpful people.
In Mack's entry, I commented the following:
"It is crucial that the population participates, understands and contributes to the development of the nation (wah - heavy words), in all aspects. If there is a laissez-faire attitude - like: let them talk, the wind will blow over, anyway - nothing will change. If the Rakyat feels the need - commercially, economically, emotionally and whatever - and they buy in to the concept, then things will change - Malaysia will become paradise, so to speak."
SolbiKenobi responded correctly:
"Good point about the rakyat 'buying into the concept'.I have to wonder out loud, tho', are we, at present, trying to sell anything? And if so, who's the audience?"
To keep the discussion going, I will comment that:
"Solbi: I do think "Malaysia is selling" something - if the selling something is related to the perception that is formed overseas and internally about Malaysia. This perception is there. People talk about Malaysia - its positive sides and its negative sides.Not sure if Malaysia "needs" to identify a "target audience". I think it is better to manage those that come already in a better way, give them the experience they search for, want and appreciate, and they would then function as an ambassador of choice for Malaysia. The question is - how much do we actually know about those people that come here. What do they do here? Much much do they? Where do they spend money, and time? Do they get what they want? How much does this differ from their original plans etc.
In my opinion, the level of knowledge of visitors is limited. There might be a lot of data available and collected, but is there anyone really looking into it?"
It would be great to get the input from those overseas who read our blogs - what do you think about it?
Posted by Andreas at April 7, 2005 10:53 AM
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Comments
Actually, foreign perception is very different from resident's perception of Malaysia. I reading an article on one of Canada's political science journals and they had a really positive article on Malaysia. They said that Malaysia was the epitome of racial harmony and it would be great if other multi-cultural followed Malaysian ideas.
I also talked to a lot of people who have visited Malaysia. They really liked it. They said that they had met very friendly people and had a wonderful experience. Don't get me wrong, this did not come from one person. It came from random people I met while in Toronto and Montreal.
Visitors don't care about the government and the harsh residential realities of their visiting country. They are TOURISTS, not residents. I for one dislike Bush but that doesn't stop me from going to New York or anywhere in the States for that matter.
People are attracted to Malaysia for its culture, its architecture (I'm referring to the tallest flagpole in the world and the Petronas Towers) and its natural resources (the islands and Trengganu).
Malaysia does not need to 'sell' itself. It already has.
Posted by: Ivy at April 9, 2005 07:38 AM
Ahhhh - I agree with you. There must be an alignment. If you "sell" Malaysia externally, you only disappoint visitors, if Malaysia finally doesn't deliver and provides a bad experience. You need to have the buy-in from internal and external stakeholders and only then will it be possible to move forward.
Posted by: Andreas at April 7, 2005 04:10 PM
ok... I take your point about 'selling' to visitors.
Actually i was thinking along the lines of 'are they painting rosy pictures to particular (presumably foreign) audiences while ignoring the people who actually have to live in Malaysia?'
Example: it may be the case that 'visitors' get a different pitch about Malaysia at, say, trade fairs, roadshows etc. But in domestic press, you get stories like what's been happening in Selangor (environmental issues, governance, corruption etc).
I guess it's not enough that 'visitors' buy into 'the concept', but if domestic audiences think it's all just BS (and I'm one of those)...
Marketing aside, the truth still matters. And if the truth sucks, what will the government do about it?
Posted by: Solb1 Kenobi at April 7, 2005 02:10 PM
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