By Yuen Meikeng

KUALA LUMPUR: The Tourism Ministry will draw up creative holiday packages and diversify into various markets to attract more tourists to Malaysia.

Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said there were plans to examine the present packages and enhance domestic tourism by designing specialised packages to suit different groups of people.

"For example, the Golden Third Age programme for senior citizens will offer activities which are more appropriate for their age group," she said during the handing-over of the ministry's portfolio by Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.

She said the ministry also planned to attract high-income tourists and introduce family-oriented holiday packages.

Besides working closely with the private sector, Dr Ng said the ministry would also go down to the ground to promote local destinations.

On the state of emergency in Thailand, she advised tourists to be cautious and avoid visiting the country unless it was for urgent reasons.

On a newspaper report that Pempena Sdn Bhd owed Dalamasa Sdn Bhd RM1.5mil (S$0.6 million) following its investment in the taxi management business, she said the ministry would do what was needed to resolve the situation.

Earlier, when she was handing over the portfolio of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Dr Ng said the country was getting closer to its target of having 30% of decision-making posts filled by women.

Shahrizat, meanwhile, said there were many beneficial policies already in place and it was now important to improve the delivery.

She described her return to the ministry as a "small-time political miracle", and was glad to have a second chance to head the ministry closest to her heart.

"During my 13-month sabbatical out of the Cabinet, I've learnt a lot and have seen society's plight through their eyes," she said.

She added that the expectations of the Ministry were high.

-The Star/Asia News Network