Speech - H.E. Datuk Seri Ir. Hj. Idris bin Hj. Haron

Welcome Remarks by H.E. Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

Salam Dan Selawat.....

Thank You Master Chairman Of Ceremony

Y.A.B Tan Sri Dato' Haji Muhyiddin Bin Haji Mohd Yassin

Deputy Prime Minister Of Malaysia

YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz

Minister of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia

H.E. Mr. Zoltan Somogyi

Executive Director of UN World Tourism Organisation

Honourable Ministers and Deputy Ministers Of Tourism

Excellencies Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Honourable Members of The Melaka State Executive Councillors and State Assemblymen

Members of Melaka State Government Authorities,

Distinguished Guests and Speakers

Members Of The Media, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning and Salam 1 Malaysia.

1. Alhamdulillah. All praise to Allah the Al-Mighty as with his grace we are all able to gather here today in Melaka.

2. It is indeed my pleasure to welcome all of you to the World Tourism Conference 2013. Before proceeding any further, let me wish you the customary Malay greeting of 'Selamat Datang' to the historic state of Melaka. This greeting includes our version of pantun or rhyme.

kapal dagang dari seberang,

sarat muatan kayu meranti

dari jauh tuan puan datang

orang Melaka sentiasa menanti

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. I am honored to have with us, this morning, several numbers of distinguished tourism ministers from around the world attending the World Tourism Conference 2013 here in Melaka. Your dedication and support means a great deal to Melaka and our people. Allow me to extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia and United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for hosting this premier global event in Melaka - the UNESCO World Heritage City. The selection of this venue will doubtlessly strengthen our determination to leverage our resources into enhancing Melaka's potential as a tourism powerhouse.

4. Melaka is witnessing a remarkable tourism development especially since listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in July 2008; and we are poised to lead a dynamic and sustainable tourism industry into the future to become a "Green City State" by the year 2020. Melaka may be small in size but immense in stature, where centuries of civilization and cultures have met here in Melaka, Malaysia's very own melting pot, shaping the foundation of a thriving and progressive nation that we have today.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. Tourism has become a global phenomenon; of greater importance now than ever as so many people have travelled to many places and get exposed to a variety of different cultures, religions and lifestyles. Travel has always been about aspiration and ambition; about curiosity, self improvement and discovering something new to bring home as an added value.

6. More so, I believe that travellers today are more adventurous, the markets are more diverse and the global race of ever-changing tourism trends is ever more competitive. With flexibility opened up by digital technology, the number of global travellers has soared to around one billion a year, giving us all greater economic opportunities than before. As one of the major tourism destinations in the country, we need to continue to adjust and ensure that we offer attractive and exciting opportunities, whether to travellers or investors. The tourism sector is expanding and facing new changes everyday, thus, it is vital for us to work together to maintain the growth of this important global industry.

7. Therefore, I consider this Conference is a fitting platform to exchange best practices and experiences, discuss challenges and opportunities, future perspectives and changes in the tourism sector. It is also an excellent opportunity for us to talk about the future of global tourism that is sustainability. Melaka, having a vision to create a not only profitable but sustainable tourism industry, we have always worked hard to explore new ways to actively incorporate green technology into tourism sector in an effort to ensure the beauty and quality we have today can be ceaselessly shared with everyone especially our future generation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. Before I end my speech, I wish that you will have a beneficial and enriching conference and hope you will take your time to enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Melaka, Malaysia's historical city. Do take home along with you the Malaysian hospitality and culture together with the memories you will be making.

9. Once again, I wish to extend my heart-felt gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Malaysia, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and distinguished guests for your involvement in this conference to make this event possible. I wish you all a productive conference and it is my privilege to welcome you personally to Melaka.

Thank you.