These are among new strategies to enhance the long stay plan.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has said it: The Malaysia Second Home (MM2H) programme will be reviewed to make it more attractive in matters pertaining to MM2Hers’ investments, funds and work status in the country.
He said the MM2H review is one of three additional strategies to woo more tourists next year in view of the global economic downturn and security issues in several countries.
The other two measures involve placing greater focus on health and eco tourism and the recent establishment of the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau.
The latter will bring international conference delegates here and market the country as a preferred meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) destination.
According to Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azlina Othman Said, the bureau acts as a one-stop centre to coordinate MICE activities.
With the additional strategies, Najib said Malaysia is expected to attract 20 million tourists next year.
In another development, AirAsia X’s intended launch of low cost, long haul flights between Europe and Asia Pacific is expected to spur real estate purchases in the Malaysian and European markets.
Come March, the airline will commence five-times weekly flights using Airbus A340-300 aircarft between London Stansted Airport and Kuala Lumpur, with lead-in fares starting at £99 (RM525) one way including taxes and charges while the average fare is expected to be about £150 (RM800) one way.
AirAsia group chief executive officer and AirAsia X founder Datuk Tony Fernandes said he believes the latter could eventually serve the route with five to seven daily flights/
Oversea Property Mall, a guide on international real estate investment, said the launch of such flights could potentially be a great booster for property purchases, especially with the MM2H programme getting popular with British investors and as more British buy second home here.
“The flight services would enable second home owners to travel between their home in the UK and their investment property in Malaysia at affordable prices,” it noted, citing the cost of air fares has always been one of the biggest issues of far distance travel.
by Zoe Phoon
Source : NST – Property : December 27, 2008
