Malaysia needs a strategy to focus on medical tourism and bring in more visitors from the Middle East, says Datuk Syed Hussien Al Habshee, Secretary General of the National Chambers of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (NCCIM).

Malaysia is an Islamic country but tourists from the MIddle East choose Singapore and Thailand for their medical treatment. “Although we have the clear edge in terms of religion, Muslim hospital staff, halal food and other aspects, Middle Eastern tourists prefer to go to Thailand and Singapore. As a result, the country continues to be left far behind in this sector which is growing annually and is worth billions of ringgit,” he said.

He added that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Tourism Ministry should have a strategy to promote and market Malaysia as a premier medical tourism destination.

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