West Asian tourists in Malaysia: creating new phenomenon-some preliminary statements

Abstract

This study seeks to analysis some of major features of the phenomenon that dramatically appeared by influx of West Asian visitors to Malaysia that had evolved out the aftermath of September 11 and London Bombing. Data had been collected from a year field works, from mid-2007 to mid-2008, in Klang Valley, Langkawi, Penang, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands and a few tourist spots in the east coast of Peninsula. This study indicates that there are two major scenarios in Malaysian tourism: First, with the increasing number of their coming since 2001, the emerging West Asian tourist markets not only of the future with huge economic, demographic and destination potentials to Malaysia, but also has created Islamic feature in Malaysian tourism. Secondly, they have brought economic structural change in Malaysia tourism with the emergence of Islamic entrepreneurs as new players in the industry. In short, they have reconstructed toward more Islamic tourism in Malaysia in both sides, the demand and the supply.