Aussie Business Tourism To Malaysia Takes Off
Australian business tourism to Malaysia has enjoyed a double-digit growth since Tourism Malaysia opened an office here in mid-2005.

The office given the added task of promoting Malaysia as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) destination, has been successful in tapping into the lucrative sector of the travel industry.

A total of 29,531 Australian MICE delegates came to Malaysia in 2005, a jump of 10 per cent from 22,969 the previous year. There was a further increase of 10 per cent last year when 32,503 Aussie business people headed for Malaysia.

The figure for this year is expected to be more than 36,000 based on the fact that 9,111 Australians made the trip to Malaysia in the first three months of this year.

MICE analysts say these are outstanding figures considering Australia's population of 21 million in comparison with the United States, Britain and other developed countries.