The Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2007 campaign was launched on 31st December 2005. The VMY 2007 campaign is held in conjunction with the golden jubilee of the nation’s independence.

It is designed to make Malaysia a top-of-mind destination; the yearlong campaign comprises various promotions and marketing strategies. Tourists will be prompted to plan their visit to Malaysia through information about the country’s wealth of holiday destinations throughout 2006.

The calendar of events, detailing major events in Malaysia and other related activities for VMY 2007 include the installation of the new king in January 2007 and the country’s much anticipated 50th Independence Day celebrations in late August 2007.

The auspicious day was officiated by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Tourism, at Dataran Merdeka, the historic Independence Square in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

In his speech, Najib said that the programme would foster better unity, harmony and well being among Malaysians and showcase a peace-loving nation to the world.

The VMY 2007 campaign is the third following two previous ones that were successfully held in 1990 and 1994. It is expected to increase the number of foreign arrivals to the country to 20 million in 2007. The country targets to attract some 17.3 million tourists during 2006.