Starting point: Some of the big bikers getting ready for the convoy to Phuket Bike Week festival.
PUTRAJAYA: Tourism Malaysia is looking to promote Malaysia as a top “two-wheel tourism” destination in Asean with its participation in this year’s Phuket Bike Week 2015.
Deputy director-general (promotion) Datuk Azizan Noordin said the popular annual bikers’ gathering was the perfect platform for Tourism Malaysia to promote its motorcycle tour packages to the 10,000 enthusiasts expected at the event.
Besides bike tour packages, Tourism Malaysia will also be selling packages for the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) 2015 scheduled for October.
“Malaysia, with its well-connected highways to Singapore and Thailand, as well as its scenic countryside, historic places and delicious food, makes it a great place for motorcycle holidays.
“The agents that are registered with us offer good bike tour packages to destinations such as Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands. The prices are very attractive and they come with insurance too,” said Azizan after flagging off a convoy of 25 big bikers to the Phuket Bike Week festival at the Tourism Ministry here yesterday.
Azizan said motorcycle holiday packages were priced from RM1,200 for a four-day-three-night package and included tickets to watch the MotoGP.
“Two-wheel tourism falls under the luxury tourism segment and we are hoping to get more motorcycle enthusiasts to come to Malaysia,” said Azizan, adding that four Tourism Malaysia officials were part of the Phuket convoy.
The 25-bike convoy will be joined by another 40 in Alor Setar as they make their way to Phuket in Thailand.
About 2,500 Malaysian bikers are expected at the Phuket Bike Week event.
Tourism Malaysia is targeting to sell 100 travel packages at the event, which would net RM200,000 in revenue for the country.
Last year, 692 tourists from Thailand attended MotoGP 2014 and 100 of them bought the MotoGP package, which brought in RM1.5mil.
Through the MotoGP 2014 tour packages alone, Malaysia recorded RM9,095,283 in income.
The spectators for MotoGP 2014 totalled 81,896, generating an income of RM54.4mil from international tourists.
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