KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The Tourism Ministry will promote domestic tourism by offering budget travel packages.

Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said budget travel would be in demand in view of the recent fuel hike.

"We are looking at packaging more local destinations in support of the 'Zoom! Malaysia' campaign which we launched recently," she said after the first national Tourism Council conference here yesterday.

Government and private sectors industry players, non-governmental organisations and state executive council members met to discuss ways to improve the tourism sector.

Azalina said the ministry was in talks with AirAsia Bhd, online financial services provider Tune Money Sdn Bhd and Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd to design better travel packages.

The government would assist their marketing efforts and there would be an aggressive domestic market promotion until year-end to attract more locals to holiday domestically.

On collaboration with Pakatan Rakyat states to promote tourism, Azalina said the ministry had never discriminated against the five states.

"I have no problem with them (Pakatan Rakyat states). They love me and I love them. All states are important as each has its own attractions."

Selangor Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong said Selangor would join the effort by promoting special packages.

"We have asked the management in Kampung Kuantan in Kuala Selangor for discount tickets to the firefly colony," she said, adding that some discounts would be announced soon.

Wong said a meeting would be held at the end of this month with other Pakatan Rakyat state executive councils to promote intra-state tourism packages.

"We are also looking forward to a much better working relationship with the Federal Government."

Present were Perak tourism committee chairman Captain (Rtd) Mohd Osman Mohd Jail, Kedah tourism committee chairman Mohammad Radzhi Salleh and Penang tourism action council chairman Datuk Kee Phaik Cheen.