The packages highlight Malaysia as a shopping haven with unique cultural attractions, breath-taking islands and beaches and a vibrant urban atmosphere. There are also special packages to promote education tourism in Malaysia.

The packages start from US$690 to US$1078 with return flights from Almaty, Kazakhstan to Kuala Lumpur (KL), return domestic flights in Malaysia, accommodation, sightseeing programs and airport transfer.

Mas Ermieyati said about 1000 of the Shopping and Holiday packages, worth US$1.32 million, are expected to be sold in Kazakhstan from July to November this year.

She said the launch of the packages are expected to help boost the tourist arrival numbers to Malaysia from Kazakhstan as well as Malaysia’s political and economic stability, favourable currency exchange rate and various tourism offerings and attractions.

“There is also good connectivity between Malaysia and Kazakhstan with Air Astana providing a total of three weekly flights from Almaty to KL,” she added.

Air Astana is the national airline of Kazakhstan.

Last year, Malaysia recorded a total of 26.8 million tourist arrivals with RM82.1 billion in tourist receipts.

This year, the target is to welcome 31.8 million tourists and RM180 billion receipts, said Kazakhstan, who is spearheading a Malaysian delegation to Malaysia Tourism and Business week from July 10 to 14, 2017 in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana.

The visit is in conjunction with Malaysia’s participation in the Astana Expo 2017 from June to September 2017.