GEORGE TOWN, Dec 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today praised the co-operation from the state government here that he said will allow Penang to play an important role towards the success of Visit Malaysia 2014.

Opening the National Christmas celebration held here today, he said the event was an example of the willingness of both Putrajaya and the state government to set aside rivalries for the greater good of the country.

“We have shown as a government that in areas in which we can work together, we will work together as there are times that we should rise above our differences,” he said.

He said it is important to note that only when both the federal and state governments work together, then only can the nation’s biggest potential can be realised.

He expressed confidence that the Tourism Ministry led by Datuk Seri Mohamad Nazri Abdul Aziz will be able to reach the objectives of Visit Malaysia 2014 to draw more tourists to the country.

“Events like this Christmas celebration which could spur the tourism industry is like the curtain raiser for the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2014,” he said.

Earlier, Nazri in his speech announced that Malaysia had recorded an overall growth of 3.3 per cent in tourist arrivals as at September this year in comparison to the same period last year.

“Tourist receipts grew by 9.6 per cent to generate RM46.46 billion to the country’s revenue,” he said.

Nazri then pointed out that Malaysia has been ranked as among the top ten tourism destinations in the world to visit for 2014 by popular travel guide, Lonely Planet.

“We should be proud that Malaysia is the only Asian country to make the list,” he said.

Next year is Visit Malaysia year and the tourism ministry is targeting 28 million tourist arrivals into the country.

“We are also hope to record a revenue of RM76 billion in tourist receipts,” he said before calling on all relevant parties including all state governments to cooperate in reaching this national mission.