MALAYSIA IN THE COMPANY OF WORLD-CLASS TRAVEL SPOTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is in the company of world-class travel destinations, according to a study by FutureBrand, a leading brand consultancy.

Malaysia has earned two coveted spots as one of the world’s top 10 country brands for the first time in the fifth annual Country Brand Index (CBI).

This year saw Malaysia entering the Best Resort and Lodging Options category at 10th place, FutureBrand said in a statement

Malaysia also maintains its seventh spot as Best Country Brand for Value for Money proposition.

The CBI is a comprehensive study of about 3,000 international business and leisure travellers from nine countries.

It examines how countries are branded and ranked and identifies emerging global trends in the world’s fastest growing economic sector –- travel and tourism -- which accounted for US$944 billion in international tourism receipts last year.

Added recognition for the 2009 CBI list reflects Malaysia’s continuing strength in the tourism sector. -- BERNAMA

CL TOM