PUTRAJAYA, Dec 27 — A grand welcome awaits foreign tourists coming to Malaysia between January 1 and 3 at 37 entry points as the country launches Visit Malaysia Year 2014 (VMY 2014).

At Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz is expected to welcome the tourists on New Year’s Day.

“The welcome will be accorded to the visitors at the entry points, either by land or air,” said Tourism Malaysia domestic marketing division director Datuk Musa Yusof. “At KLIA, for example, we will hand out goodies and tell the visitors that January 1 is the start of VMY 2014.”

Musa was speaking to reporters after Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (marketing) Chong Yoke Har flagged off the KL Hop-on Hop-off bus in conjunction with the “Follow Countdown Journey Visit Malaysia Year 2014 from Putrajaya to Penang” here.

Musa said 50 flash mob dancers and members of the media would make stops at the Tapah R&R, the Ipoh railway station and Padang Kota Lama in George Town today to promote and distribute VMY 2014 leaflets and souvenirs.

A two-day VMY 2014 Countdown Carnival would be held at the Queensbay Mall in Penang starting tomorrow.

“Lots of events will take place, such as performances by artistes, cultural performances, quiz, colouring contest and more,” he said. “There will also be 13 counters for travel agencies and tourism products.”

Musa said Malaysia was targeting 28 million visitors to spend RM76 billion in the country during VMY 2014. — Bernama