THE travel and tourism industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the services sector. The industry, which encompasses transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, and recreation and entertainment, is currently the second largest gross domestic product (GDP) contributing industry for Malaysia.
According to official statistics, travel and tourism contributed to nearly RM30bil in total receipts in 2004, an increase of over RM8bil from the previous year. Total arrivals also reached a record high of 15.7 million compared with 10.6 million in 2003.