On August 16, 2024, the Al Rais Travel head office played host to a high-profile delegation from Malaysia. The esteemed visitors included The Honorable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia; Dato’ Yeoh Soon Hin, Deputy Chairman of Tourism Malaysia; and Mr. Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. They were welcomed by key figures from Al Rais Travel, including Mr. Abdulrahman Mohd Taher Mohd Wali, Managing Director; Mr. Mohamed Jassim Al Rais, Executive Director; Mr. Prem Sagar, Group General Manager; and other senior managers.
The meeting, which lasted over an hour, focused on strategies to enhance tourism between Malaysia and the UAE. The Malaysian delegation sought insights on how to boost the exposure and engagement of Malaysian tourism within the UAE market.
Mr. Mohamed Jassim Al Rais highlighted a crucial point: Malaysia's brand visibility has diminished compared to other destinations. He noted that Malaysia's relatively low activity in recent years has led to a diminished presence in people's minds, allowing neighboring countries to capture more attention. To counter this trend, he emphasised the need for more vigorous marketing campaigns, a sentiment echoed by Al Rais's Product Development Manager and the Marketing Manager.
Adding to the discussion, Mr. Prem Sagar underscored the importance of reinstating Malaysia Airlines flights from the UAE, which was noted with interest by the Malaysian Minister. The Minister agreed to escalate this issue to the Prime Minister for necessary action to restore these operations.
Mr. Abdulrahman Mohd Taher Mohd Wali also reflected on Al Rais Travel's long-standing relationship with Malaysia, recalling how the company began its role as the General Sales Agent (GSA) for Malaysian Airlines in 1979 and established the Malaysian Tourism Office in the UAE.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides exchanging exclusive national gifts, symbolizing the continued commitment to strengthening tourism ties between Malaysia and the UAE.