Malaysia is looking to tap the growing self-drive tourism market among Thai travellers, particularly big-spending automotive enthusiasts, as it seeks to encourage longer stays, multi-destination travels, and greater tourism spending.
Malaysia’s Consul General in Songkhla, Thailand Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi said supercar enthusiasts represent a niche and potentially lucrative segment of the tourism market, given their readiness to spare no expense when it comes to accommodation, dining, shopping, leisure, and other tourism-related activities and services.
He said Malaysia has the infrastructure, attractions, and connectivity to cater to the segment, and the country should develop and promote self-drive routes that offer unique experiences, particularly to visitors from southern Thailand.
Ahmad Fahmi was speaking to Bernama after flagging off a seven-day convoy of 17 supercars and 38 participants from Thailand recently. The event was organised by Tourism Malaysia Bangkok in collaboration with Flying Monkey Supercars Thailand.
Entering Malaysia via the Bukit Kayu Hitam-Sadao road link, the convoy has so far travelled to Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru before entering Singapore. It will then continue to Peninsular Malaysia’s East Coast and Redang Island in Terengganu.
The event was part of Tourism Malaysia’s series of self-drive programmes named Self-Drive 1.0 and Self-Drive 2.0 that cover Peninsular Malaysia’s northern and East Coast destinations respectively.
Ahmad Fahmi said self-driving would allow tourists to experience Malaysia’s attractions, gastronomy, culture, and hospitality beyond the major cities.
"This is an important initiative as it allows Thai visitors to discover Malaysia at their own paces while visiting various destinations, experiencing our food and culture, and contributing to the local tourism economy.
"Beyond the immediate spending by the participants, programmes such as this can encourage more Thai travellers to consider Malaysia for self-drive holidays, resulting in longer stays and visits to more destinations,” he said.
The flag-off ceremony was also attended by Tourism Malaysia Bangkok Director Nurul Ain Mohammed Yunus, Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) Lower Southern Regional Chapter President Jiralak Padungpakdeewong, tourism industry representatives, and members of the Flying Monkey Supercars Club. – Bernama
