Tourism Malaysia’s Shopping Icon

Tourism Malaysia has recently launched a new icon called “Miss SHOPhia” to promote Malaysia as a shopping haven for tourists.

Last year, tourists spent RM26 billion shopping as compared to the country’s total receipts of RM82 billion from them.

“For the first time, shopping has overtaken accommodation as the number one revenue earner for the country.

“We want to further encourage visitors to continue their shopping spree,” said Sani Sham Ahmad, Penang Tourism Malaysia director at a seminar to industry players at the Royale Chulan Hotel recently.

Some 45 representatives of various malls and shopping centres in the state attended the seminar.

Also present was Tourism Malaysia’s Secretariat Shopping Malaysia (SSM) head Baizuri Baharum at the briefing.

Baizuri Baharum at the seminar in George Town.

“Our aim is to make Malaysia the ultimate shopping destination as tourists have the penchant to buy gadgets to keep tabs on the latest items in the market.

“Miss SHOPhia is a fine young woman who does not forget her roots and has deep appreciation of culture and refined knowledge of Malaysian handicrafts and traditional motifs.

“Miss SHOPhia will be the ultimate companion to guide shoppers on fashion trends and latest news on when and where to shop, what to look out for and get the best out of shopping in Malaysia,” said Baizuri.

Miss SHOPhia will also draw attention of shoppers to Malaysia’s three yearly annual sales; namely 1Malaysia Super Sale (March 1 to 31), 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival (June 15 to Aug 31) and 1Malaysia Year End Sale (Nov 1 to Dec 31).

Penang Tourism Malaysia head, Sani Sham and his team.

Among the top shopping destinations in the country are Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Johor Baru with tourists from China, Indonesia, Singapore, India, Vietnam and Thailand.

Promotional materials of Miss SHOPhia will be widely featured in foreign destinations to draw in more foreign shoppers to Malaysia.