Tourism Malaysia promotes sustainable tourism

Tourism Malaysia has been promoting sustainable tourism and niche tourism products at the 24th edition of the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) from February 15 – 17. The three-day programme was held at the Pragati Maidan convention centre, and giving an opportunity for buyers and sellers to network with each other and develop new tourism products and packages.

SATTE 2017 was jointly launched by the Union Minister of State for Tourism & Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Govt of India Dr Mahesh Sharma and Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Held annually, SATTE is one of India's leading travel trade events. This year, it is expected to attract more than 750 participants from over 35 countries and 28 Indian states, and about 20,000 visitors. The Malaysia delegation was led by Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Malaysia, state representatives and members of the Malaysian travel trade fraternity. A total of 32 participants with 16 organisations comprising state tourism promotion boards, travel agencies, hotel, airlines, tourism product owners and a healthcare travel council took part in SATTE at the Malaysia Pavilion.

Speaking at SATTE, Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri said, "Sustainable tourism development is no longer just a mere cliche, but has become a major contributor to a more environmentally sustainable economy.

With the right investment, tourism can be a leading change agent in the move to a green economy by driving economic growth and job creation. At the same time, it simultaneously improves resource efficiency, minimises environmental degradation as well as raises environmental awareness among travellers." India is the sixth top tourist generating market for Malaysia.