PADANG RENGAS, Feb 22 — Malaysia is confident of achieving the target of getting 28 million tourists this year with various programmes being made in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2014, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said today.

Last year, he said, there was an increase of 700,000 tourist arrivals in the country, adding that this was despite the country having its general election and for a certain period, shrouded in haze.

“I have yet to receive the actual figure in tourist arrivals, but there is an increase,’ he told reporters after opening the Kampung Chuar bridge here today.

Mohamed Nazri said he was informed by hotel owners that 90 per cent of their hotel rooms had been booked.

Hence, he called on all quarters, including the state governments to extend the necessary cooperation to ensure the success of Visit Malaysia Year. — Bernama